> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://the-bingo-fi-a4951ed8.mintlify.site/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.
</Tip>

<Frame caption="The demo match on the Learn page: two hidden boards, one shared set of calls.">
  <img src="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" alt="A demo match with two boards, You and Rival" width="1400" height="872" data-path="images/v2/learn-match.webp" />
</Frame>

## The rules

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Frame>
      <img src="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" alt="The Arrange Board screen with Shuffle and Lock Board" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/v2/draft.webp" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make lines">
    A full row, column or diagonal is a line. Each line lights one letter of B-I-N-G-O.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Five lines wins">
    The first player to complete 5 lines wins the match.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="A match in progress: your board, the called numbers, and every player's B-I-N-G-O progress.">
  <img src="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" alt="A match in progress against Bot Lv3" width="1440" height="1010" data-path="images/v2/match.webp" />
</Frame>

## 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.

<Frame>
  <img src="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" alt="Rows, columns and diagonals on a 5×5 board" width="1400" height="419" data-path="images/v2/learn-lines.webp" />
</Frame>

## 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.

<Card title="Ready? Play your first match" icon="play" href="https://app.thebingofi.xyz/play" horizontal>
  Start against a friendly bot at Lv1 and work your way up to Lv10.
</Card>


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