Tiebreaking
Like most games, two players can win a Bingola game at the same time, even though they have different tickets. For example, if a player is waiting for a Q and another player is waiting for an Z, the word Quiz would cause both players to win at the same time.
We have tested Bingola for millions of games. We find that approximately one game in ten (1:10) ends up with a tie. One game in sixty (1:60) results in a tie of three or more players.
Here are some methods for handling ties with Bingola:
1. Allow ties and share prizes
Our recommended method for Bingola is to accept that some games end in a tie and declare joint winners. This method is in the spirit of this light-hearted game of luck.
If you are giving out prizes, such as sweets or drink vouchers, it is easy to give away this small prize to every winner. If you plan to play ten games, then it is probable one game will be tied. You may need to have 12 or 14 sweets or vouchers on hand.
2. First to call out
Another way to resolve ties is to award the win to the first person to shout “Bingola”. This method has the difficulty that one person may be louder than another. If nobody has distinctly shouted first, it is still best to consider it a tie, rather than waste time on a dispute.
3. Coin toss
A simple way of resolving a tie in Bingola is to just toss a coin. Ask one of the players to call 'heads' or 'tails'. If the coin lands according to their call, they win the game.
Note that a coin toss can only resolve a tie between two players.
4. Next word method
This method of tiebreaking extends the Bingola rules, to make sure there is a single winner by elimination. It works quickly, even if there are several final players. Finalists count how many matches they have for each new word called. As soon as one player has an extra match, they win the tiebreak. This is how it works:
- Validate each of the tickets in the tiebreak, and return them back to the final players.
- Call out the next word.
- Ask the finalists "how many squares on your ticket match with that word?". They should reply "none", "one", "two" or a higher number.
- If one player matches more than the others, they win the tie-break.
- If players match equally high, the others are eliminated. Repeatedly call out words until the tie is broken and someone wins outright.
This method usually resolves a clear winner after calling a few words. It can take longer if two tickets are unusually similar. If you pass the 72nd word on a printed wordlist, return to top of the wordlist and continue.
A tie-breaking system is built into the optional Bingola Microsoft console for commerical clients. For large groups, this console makes it easier to verify a ticket has won the tie-break.
More topics
Wordlists are randomly selected from a Bingola dictionary. For children and beginners there are dictionary grades from 1 to 4 of increasing difficulty. The grade 1 dictionary has several hundred short, simple words. For adults, there is the senior dictionary with over nine thousands words. Take a peek at what to expect in each dictionary.
Bingola is easy to set up and play, but there are a few organiser tips and tricks to help make each game go smoothly. Click here to review pens v daubers, easy ways to hand out tickets or play multiple tickets.
Bingola is handmade in Australia. Some colours may vary from images of the game. We're pretty good at fixing damage and faults before any deliveries to customers, however if you do find a fault, do not hesitate to let us know. We can easily send replacement elements on request.
Return to the main setup and playing guide.
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