> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.thebingofi.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to play

> The rules in two minutes.

> [!TIP]
>
> Rather watch than read? The [Learn page](https://app.thebingofi.xyz/learn) in the app plays a demo match for you.

![A demo match with two boards, You and Rival](https://mintcdn.com/the-bingo-fi-a4951ed8/cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb/images/v2/learn-match.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb\&q=85\&s=d80536e197c567e2b7f74aedfc53ba11)

## The rules

**1. Pick a nickname and a game**

Open [app.thebingofi.xyz](https://app.thebingofi.xyz), type a nickname and choose how you want to play (see [Game modes](/game-modes)). No wallet or account needed.

**2. Arrange your board**

Place the numbers 1 to 25 on your 5×5 board however you like. Click two cells to swap them, or press **Shuffle**. When you're happy, press **Lock Board**. You have 60 seconds before the match starts.

![The Arrange Board screen with Shuffle and Lock Board](https://mintcdn.com/the-bingo-fi-a4951ed8/cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb/images/v2/draft.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb\&q=85\&s=00edb8ee77cb19e26572daa0d3872b82)

**3. Take turns calling**

On your turn, click any number on your board that hasn't been called yet. It is marked on every player's board, yours and theirs. You have 25 seconds per turn. If time runs out, a number is called for you, and three missed turns in a row take you out of the match.

**4. Make lines**

A full row, column or diagonal is a line. Each line lights one letter of B-I-N-G-O.

**5. Five lines wins**

The first player to complete 5 lines wins the match.

![A match in progress against Bot Lv3](https://mintcdn.com/the-bingo-fi-a4951ed8/S_g-fkuN-gJn6KiC/images/v2/match.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=S_g-fkuN-gJn6KiC\&q=85\&s=12498598c49ad00dc78068cd51a8e0bb)

## 12 ways to make a line

There are 5 rows, 5 columns and 2 diagonals. The centre cell sits on 4 lines, more than any other cell.

![Rows, columns and diagonals on a 5×5 board](https://mintcdn.com/the-bingo-fi-a4951ed8/cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb/images/v2/learn-lines.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=cEgy-N_Ac-sRWqAb\&q=85\&s=dc95c1f12af28b219a723de91c5dc4e8)

## Winning moves

* Put numbers that share lines close together. A diagonal cell sits on 3 lines, the centre on 4.
* Call numbers that finish **your** lines. Every call helps your rivals too, so pick the ones that help you most.
* Watch the called numbers. If a rival needs just one more, think twice before calling it.
* Your board is secret, so spread your lines out and keep rivals guessing.

> **[Ready? Play your first match](https://app.thebingofi.xyz/play)**
>
> Start against a friendly bot at Lv1 and work your way up to Lv10.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.