The number of possible bingo patterns is astounding - the 5x5 grid allows for an enormous number of combinations. It is always possible to be original and draw another pattern, adding to the excitement of the game. When you're ready to try your luck and have some fun, head to winner.com.

Rather than attempt to be exhaustive and show you all patterns that are in use, we've adopted the practical approach of showing you the popular ones together with the number of possible winning combinations for each pattern.

All bingo patterns fall into one of the following 3 categories:

1. Standard (or "static") bingo patterns
   These patterns cannot be rotated or shifted; for a winning combination every square that is a part of the pattern has to be marked.
    
2. Crazy bingo patterns
   These patterns can be rotated by 90, 180 or 270 degrees. This multiplies the number of possible winning combinations. For example, the letter T has only one winning combination, whereas Crazy Letter T has four.
    
3. Wild bingo patterns
   These patterns are static, but can be shifted or moved anywhere within the 5x5 grid. Wild patterns wildly increase the number of winning combinations.

Any horizontal line Winning combinations: 5	Any vertical line Winning combinations: 5	Any diagonal Winning combinations: 2	4 corners Winning combinations: 1
Happy face Winning combinations: 1	Crazy airplane Winning combinations: 4	Turtle Winning combinations: 1	Hat Winning combinations: 1
Letter C Winning combinations: 1	Letter E Winning combinations: 1	Letter F Winning combinations: 1	Letter N Winning combinations: 1
Letter V Winning combinations: 1	Letter Y Winning combinations: 1	Block of 4 Winning combinations: 16	Corner stamp Winning combinations: 4
Small corner X Winning combinations: 4	Kite Winning combinations: 4	6-pack Winning combinations: 24 Free space allowed	Hardway 6-pack Winning combinations: 12 Free space not allowed
Pyramid Block of 8 Winning combinations: 4	Block of 8 Winning combinations: 16 Free space allowed	Block of 9 Winning combinations: 9 Free space allowed	Railroad (adjacent) Winning combinations: 8 Free space allowed
Hardway straight line Winning combinations: 8 Free space not allowed	2 hardway blocks of 4 Winning combinations: 50 Free space not allowed	Any 2 lines Winning combinations: 66	5 around the corner Winning combinations: 4
Crazy T letter Block of 8 Winning combinations: 4	Crazy L letter Winning combinations: 4	Cross Winning combinations: 1	Chevron Winning combinations: 4
Number 7 Winning combinations: 1	Hollow diamond Winning combinations: 1	Small frame Winning combinations: 1	Checkerboard Winning combinations: 1
Large frame Winning combinations: 1	Tic Tac Toe (Pound) Winning combinations: 1	Ladder Winning combinations: 1	Coverall Winning combinations: 1

Final word

If you are new to bingo, make sure you know how to play bingo. Start with one card at a time. Top online bingo sites frequently run promotions - do not miss out: check which patterns are being rewarded. Be aware of whether the pattern can be shifted / moved (wild bingo patterns) or rotated (crazy bingo patterns).