Rules guide · 90-ball format

Bingo 90 rules (= French loto 90)

“Bingo 90” is the Anglo-Saxon name for the traditional French loto: 90 balls numbered 1 to 90, 27-square cards organized in 3 rows × 9 columns, 3 stages per round (line, double line, full house). Here are the complete rules.

Overview

Balls	90 numbered 1 to 90
Card	3 rows × 9 columns = 27 squares (15 filled, 12 empty)
Distribution by column	Col 1: 1–9 · Col 2: 10–19 · … · Col 9: 80–90
Stages per round	3 (line, double line, full house)
Valid patterns	Horizontal lines only (no diagonals)
Round length	12–20 min (manual) / 8–15 min (auto)

Step-by-step round flow

Card distribution — each player receives 1–5 cards on arrival (purchased at the door)
Ball draw — the host draws balls at random (cage or software) and announces each number
Players mark — every drawn number is marked on the matching cards
Stage 1: the quine (line) — first player with a full horizontal line shouts “quine” → verification → prize 1
Stage 2: double quine — draw continues. First with 2 full lines → verification → prize 2
Stage 3: full house — draw continues until a player has all 15 numbers marked → verification → main prize
End of round — 5–10 min break, new card purchases, next round starts

Regional variants of bingo 90

In France, bingo 90 has several regional names: quine (South-West, Catalonia), rifle (Languedoc, Provence), poule au gibier (Brittany, Normandy), loto (generic). Same rules, different names.

Frequently asked questions

Are bingo 90 and loto 90 the same game?

Yes, exactly. “Bingo 90” is an Anglo-Saxon term sometimes used in France for the traditional 90-ball French loto. Same rules: 90 balls numbered 1 to 90, 27-square cards in 3 rows × 9 columns, 3 stages per round (line, double line, full house).

What's the difference with bingo 75 (US-style)?

Bingo 90 = French/European format. 90 balls, 3×9 cards, 3 stages, no BINGO column letters. Bingo 75 = US format. 75 balls, 5×5 cards, 1 stage per round, B-I-N-G-O column headers, central FREE square.

What are the 3 stages of bingo 90?

(1) Quine or line — first player to complete a horizontal line (5 numbers). (2) Double quine or double line — first to have 2 complete lines. (3) Full house — all 15 numbers marked. Each stage wins a prize, with the full house being the main one.

Are diagonals accepted in bingo 90?

No — in French bingo 90, only horizontal lines are valid. The 3×9 grid (long rows, few rows) doesn't suit diagonals, unlike the 5×5 grid of bingo 75. Announce this rule clearly upfront if your players are used to US bingo.

How many balls before the first quine?

On average between 15 and 25 balls drawn. The math: more cards in play means the first quine arrives sooner. With 100 cards circulating, the first quine typically lands after 17–20 draws. Double quine after 30–40 draws, full house after 55–70.

How long does a bingo 90 round take?

A full round (from first ball to full house): 12–20 minutes with manual cage draw, 8–15 minutes with automatic draw. Longer than bingo 75 (5–10 min/round) because of the 3 sub-stages. Typical evening: 5 to 12 rounds, so 2–4h total.

What to do in case of a tie (2 simultaneous quines)?

3 options to announce BEFORE starting: (1) Split the prize between winners, (2) Extra ball drawn, first to shout on this new number wins, (3) Seniority criterion (earliest card purchased wins). BingoShow tracks the exact purchase order of each card, which simplifies option 3.

Can a draw be cancelled in case of error?

Yes, but with strict rules: the cancellation must be announced immediately, BEFORE a player has shouted “quine” or “full house”. The cancelled ball returns to the pool. BingoShow keeps a timestamped history that traces every draw and every cancellation.

Host your bingo 90 without stress

BingoShow handles cards, draw and verification. Native 90-ball format.

Create a free account