What is tambola?
Tambola is a number-calling game in which every player has a ticket of 15 numbers, numbers from 1 to 90 are called one at a time, and players mark them off to complete patterns that win prizes.
The same game goes by several names: tambola, housie (or housey) and, informally, Indian bingo. The idea is always the same — a caller announces numbers, everyone checks their own ticket, and the first player to complete a pattern such as a full row wins that prize.
It is a favourite at family get-togethers, society and club evenings, kitty parties, office events and weddings, because anyone can play and every call keeps the whole room involved.
The tambola ticket
A tambola ticket is a grid of 3 rows and 9 columns that holds 15 numbers — exactly 5 in each row — with the other 12 cells left blank.
- 3 rows × 9 columns — 27 cells in all.
- 15 numbers — 5 in every row; 12 cells stay blank.
- Columns by tens — column 1 holds 1–9, column 2 holds 10–19 and so on, up to 80–90 in the last column.
- 1 to 3 numbers per column — and they always go from smallest at the top to largest at the bottom.
In PlayTambola.Live every player’s ticket is generated by the server, so it always follows these rules.
How numbers are called and marked
Numbers from 1 to 90 are called in a random order, each one only once, and players mark a number only if it is on their own ticket.
- 1
A number is called
The caller picks a number at random from 1 to 90 that has not come up yet and announces it — often with a playful line. - 2
Players check their ticket
If the number is on your ticket, you mark it. If it isn’t, you wait for the next call. - 3
Patterns build up
As more numbers are marked, tickets get close to completing a prize pattern — a row, the corners or the whole ticket. - 4
A prize is claimed
In a paper game, the player shouts and the host checks the ticket by hand. Online, the check can happen automatically.
In PlayTambola.Live the server calls every number, the big screen speaks it aloud with a witty caller line, and players tap numbers on their phone. Only numbers that were actually called can be marked, and wins are checked by the server — nobody has to shout.
Tambola prizes: all 8 patterns
The 8 tambola prizes are Early Five, Top Line, Middle Line, Bottom Line, Four Corners, Full House, Pairs and All Zeros — each is won by marking a specific set of numbers on your ticket.
Every diagram below uses the same example ticket. The highlighted numbers are the ones you need to mark to win that prize.
Early Five
51235416074420476685928507990Rule: Be the first to mark any 5 numbers on your ticket.
The five numbers can be anywhere on the ticket — any rows, any columns.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Top Line
51235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark all 5 numbers in the top row of your ticket.
Only the top row counts; marks in the other rows don’t help.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Middle Line
51235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark all 5 numbers in the middle row of your ticket.
Same as Top Line, but for the second row.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Bottom Line
51235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark all 5 numbers in the bottom row of your ticket.
Same as Top Line, but for the third row.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Four Corners
41235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark the first and last numbers of the top row and the first and last numbers of the bottom row.
These are the outermost numbers in those two rows — not the grid’s corner cells, which are often blank. In the example: 12 and 74 on top, 9 and 90 at the bottom.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Full House
151235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark all 15 numbers on your ticket.
The big one — every number on the ticket has been called and marked.
On by default in PlayTambola.Live
Pairs
21235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark two numbers that sit side by side in the same row — in neighbouring columns, with no blank cell between them.
Numbers in the same column don’t count, and neither do two numbers with a blank cell between them. In the example, 35 and 41 sit next to each other in the top row. A ticket with no side-by-side numbers can’t win Pairs.
Off by default — the host can switch it on
All Zeros
All numbers ending in 01235416074420476685928507990Rule: Mark every number on your ticket that ends in 0 — 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90.
You need all of the zero numbers your ticket has, however many that is. The example ticket has four: 20, 50, 60 and 90. A ticket with no number ending in 0 can’t win All Zeros.
Off by default — the host can switch it on
Co-winners and prizes won more than once
If two or more players complete the same prize on the same called number, they all win it together as co-winners.
- Co-winners share the same call: everyone whose ticket completes the prize on that number wins.
- A host can let a prize be won more than once. Each extra win comes on a different number, so the race stays open after the first winner.
- In PlayTambola.Live the server checks every ticket on every call, so co-winners are found automatically — no arguments about who claimed first.
How to play tambola online with PlayTambola.Live
To play tambola online, the host opens a game on a big screen and players join from their own phones by scanning a QR code or typing a game code — no app, just a name.
For the host
- 1Sign up. Create a free host account with email and password or Google, and verify your email.
- 2Create the game. Pick which of the 8 prizes are in play, how many times each can be won, and the maximum number of players (up to 200).
- 3Put it on the big screen. Open the game on a TV, projector or laptop. The lobby shows a QR code and a game code.
- 4Start calling. The server calls numbers from 1 to 90 and the big screen speaks each one aloud with a witty caller line.
- 5Celebrate and wrap up. Winners are checked automatically and celebrated on screen. The results screen shows every winner plus fun highlights.
For players
- 1Join. Scan the QR code on the big screen or type the game code in your phone’s browser.
- 2Enter a name. No app and no login — just a name. You get a standard 3×9 ticket.
- 3Tap to mark. Tap numbers on your ticket as they are called. Only called numbers can be marked.
- 4Win automatically. When your marks complete a prize, the server records the win. At the end you can share your result link.
Games with up to 5 players are free, with every feature.
Tips for hosts
Do a free test run, choose prizes that suit your crowd, put the big screen and sound where everyone can follow, and keep the QR code up while guests arrive.
Do a test run first
Games with up to 5 players are free, so try a full game with family or your team before the event.
Choose your prizes
Early Five, the three Lines, Four Corners and Full House are on by default. Switch on Pairs and All Zeros for extra prizes.
Let prizes be won again
Set a prize to be won more than once — each extra win comes on a different number.
Turn the sound up
The big screen speaks every call. Connect it to speakers so the back of the room hears it too.
Keep the QR code up
Leave the lobby on screen while guests arrive. Anyone who can’t scan can type the game code.
Let it start itself
Set a maximum capacity and turn on auto-start so the game begins when enough players have joined.