Top Tambola Rules You Need to Know

The tambola game is played by marking the numbers announced by the host on the tickets, and the first player to complete any of the winning patterns on their ticket wins the game. One of the rules of Tambola (housie) is that each Tambola ticket should have 15 numbers present on it. Once the numbers are called out, the players must strike them if visible on the Tambola ticket. If the players match a winning combination, they are declared the winner.

Here are the 15 rules to play tambola (housie):

1. Before starting the game, a caller/dealer/host should be decided.
2. Players should be aware of the winning pattern before the game starts.
3. Each player should buy tambola tickets (housie) to play the game.
4. Players can buy more than one Tambola ticket to increase their chances of winning. However, certain games require all players to buy the same number of tickets to have fair play. So, beware of the gameplay.
5. The caller should pick the numbers from a container without seeing it.
6. Numbers ranging from 1 to 90 should be called out by the caller randomly.
7. Each Tambola ticket should have 15 numbers present on it.
8. The caller should call out the numbers clearly. It should be audible to the players.
9. The players should strike off the numbers as and when called out by the caller.
10. The first one to complete any winning patterns should announce “Tambola.”
11. The caller should cross-check the ticket and declare the winner.
12. A player can claim a winning combo only before the caller announces the following number. For example – Say 35 was announced, and a player matched a winning combination on 35. If the player fails to claim the winnings before the next number is announced, they cannot claim their winnings.
13. If multiple players make a winning combination simultaneously, then the prize should be shared among all of them.
14. If the caller observes that the claimed ticket is false or wrong, it will be a foul. This foul or mistake is called BOOGY; from then on, the player cannot play with that ticket further.
15. The game ends when all the 90 numbers are called out, or a winner is declared for all the tambola winning patterns, whichever comes first.

Do the above-mentioned rules apply when you play Tambola online? NO! Keep reading

Tambola Online Rules

While playing Tambola online, the rules are slightly different. Play Tambola Online & Win Real Money!

Tambola Rules

Tambola, also known as Bingo or Housie, is a popular game of chance played with numbers. Playing Tambola online involves a virtual platform where players can join from different locations. Here’s a basic guide on how to play online Tambola. Moreover, you also stand a chance to win exciting prizes.

So, what is an online tambola, and how are the rules different from the classic tambola?

1. Choose an Online Platform: Various websites and mobile apps offer online Tambola. Choose a platform that suits your preferences.
2. Create an Account: Sign up or log in to the chosen platform. You may need to provide basic information and create a username.
3. Join or Create a Game: Find a Tambola game to join or create your room once logged in. Some platforms may have different game variations, so choose the one you prefer.
4. Buy Tickets: In Tambola, players buy tickets with a grid of numbers. Each number corresponds to a call that will be announced during the game. Purchase the desired number of tickets for the game.
5. Understand the Rules: Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the Tambola game you’re playing. Rules may vary, but the basic concept involves marking off numbers on your ticket as they are called.

Tambola Winning Patterns Rules

Prizes in a tambola game are also known as winnings or dividends. There are plenty of unique tambola variations. However, the five most common winning patterns are – Full House, Top Row, Bottom Row, Middle Row, and Corners.

Let’s examine the tambola dividend rules used in the classic Tambola game. Here is the list of the 15 most interesting tambola-winning patterns used in the game:

Full House Tambola Rule

When you strike off all the 15 numbers of your tambola ticket, you can claim a Full House. This pattern is also applicable while paying for the tambola.

You win the game’s grand prize by claiming a full house. If there is a huge audience while playing classic tambola, the caller/host might distribute the grand prize like Full House 1, Full House 2, and so on, depending on the amount raised for playing that particular tambola game.

Top Line Rule

In the Topline winning pattern, you must strike off all the first-line numbers, i.e., the top row of your tambola ticket.

Middle Line Winning Pattern Rule

A middle-line winning combo can be achieved when you strike off all the numbers in the middle row, i.e., the second row in a tombola ticket.

Bottom Line Winning Combination Rule

You can claim a Bottom Line if all the numbers in the bottom row, i.e., 3rd row, are marked/cut in your tambola ticket.

Tambola 4 Corners Winning Rule

When your winning combination is such that the first and fifth numbers of the top row and bottom row are marked in your tombola ticket, you can then claim the Corners tambola dividend.

Centre, Laddu Rule

In a winning pattern, you must strike out the third number of the middle or 2nd row in your tambola ticket to claim the tambola dividend. Here is an example:

123 Tambola Pattern Rule

123 is a winning combination that you can claim only by striking off the first number of the first row, the first two numbers of the second row, and the first three numbers of the third row. Here is an illustration for the same:

Early 5 Winning Pattern Rule

You can claim an Early Five winning combo when the first five numbers in your tambola ticket are marked/cut.

First Half Tambola Winning Pattern

To claim a First Half tambola dividend, you have to strike off the first three numbers from each row. This implies striking off the first three numbers from Row 1, 2, and 3. The image below will make it easier to identify a First Half winning pattern:

‘H’ Tambola Pattern Rule

H is one of the unique tambola winning patterns you can claim in a tambola game. But for that, you need to strike off all the numbers of the first vertical line(1st Column), all the numbers of the middle horizontal line(2nd row), and all the numbers of the last vertical line(9th column) from your tambola ticket. The image below will make it easier to identify the ‘H’ winning pattern:

I Love You 143 Tambola Winning Pattern

To complete & claim the I Love You 143 tambola dividend, you need to strike off the first number of the first line (1st row), the first four numbers of the second line (2nd row), and the first three numbers of the last line (3rd row) from your tambola ticket. Here is an illustration for the same: 

Naughty Tambola Dividend

A Naughty winning combo can be achieved when you strike off all the numbers having digits 6 and 9 on your tambola ticket. These numbers could be 6, 9, 19, 46, 39, 60, etc. The image below will make it easier to identify the Naughty winning pattern:

Reverse Pyramid Tambola Pattern

It is another tambola winning pattern that can be claimed when you strike off the 1st, 3rd, and 5th numbers of the first line (1st Row), 2nd & 4th numbers of the second line (2nd Row), and 3rd number of the third line (3rd Row) on your tambola ticket. When you closely observe the strike numbers, it will look like a Reverse Pyramid:

Tambola Smallest 5 Rule

In a Smallest 5 winning combination, you need to strike off the first five smallest numbers on your tambola ticket. The numbers should be cut vertically, starting from the 1st row, then the 2nd row, etc. The image below will make it easier to identify the Smallest five winning patterns:

Tambola Triplet Column Rule

To claim a Triplet Column, you must strike off the number in any three adjacent columns of your tambola ticket. For example, you must cut the numbers of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. The below-given image will make it easier to identify a Triplet Column winning pattern:

We hope that this article has helped you understand the tombola rules and how you can win money online by playing tombola.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only—we do not develop, host, or offer any of the games mentioned here.