Controversial eh?! But I hate to say it – for me, penny bingo tops free bingo all the bleedin’ time. It’s not that I don’t have any time for free bingo (trust me, by the end of the month just before payday, I thank my lucky stars that I can play bingo for nothing) it’s just I’m one of those roomies that thinks penny bingo is better. Why you may ask?! Well, before you assume that I’m off my rocker, here’s my top five reasons why penny bingo beats free bingo everytime.
Bigger Jackpots: See, in free bingo, the maximum you can grab is often around £50. In penny bingo, you can find yourself competing for double that amount, sometimes even more (I’ve played penny bingo games where you can grab £500 or even £1000 – although I haven’t actually won yet…)
Better value: This is kinda linked to point one. See, although you may assume free bingo offers the best value, you’d actually be surprised to know that the maths doesn’t always match up. See, if you took away your stake from the jackpot, you’d be left with what you really won. So take this as an example: if I win £50 playing free bingo, I’ve won £50. If I win £75 playing penny bingo, then I take away my 1p stake, which means I’ve really won £74.99.
Less players: Offer a prize of £50 for free, and you’re bound to have more takers than if you offer a prize of £50 for a penny. And that’s what sometimes bugs me about free bingo – overcrowded rooms that are filled with players who aren’t even bothered about the chat, or if they are, I can’t keep up with it at all. This probably says more about me – but hey, it’s a matter of opinion!
Fewer terms and conditions: I hate hidden surprises, and often find myself cursing bingo sites that lead me astray. With penny bingo, I know where I stand: the jackpots are real cash jackpots and although I’ve paid up, I know I’m also gonna be getting something I can draw out.
More places to play: yup, of course there are tons of sites that offer free bingo. But there are even more that offer up penny bingo, and I’m a big believer in spending time at a few bingo sites, rather than just one you’re gonna get bored at cos you never win there. And because I’ve had to deposit to play penny bingo, I can also unlock the conditional free games at some bingo sites, giving me more options than ever…
And there you have it. For me, inconclusive proof that penny bingo is better than free bingo. But what do you think?!
Thanks Paul, we're really enjoying being able to offer our views a little more to players…. it's always nice to rant, especially about our little online bingo pet peeves.
I don't think that everyone always grasps that free bingo isn't always what it's cracked up to be… and I really think they are definitely missing a trick with penny bingo. But like I said, it's just my opinion, and we reckon everyone's entitled to their own (I'm also obviously being careful not to incur the wrath of too many free bingo die hards!)
Great write up Jess – I think you've nailed it on the head about free bingo vs. penny bingo. It's amazing, how many sites today in the UK offer big cash prizes for a penny card.
I love your point not only can you win more playing penny bingo, but better odds because that 1 penny a card is a good filter to weave out players who are only after free and giving those pay to play members a great shot at Bingo!
Well done, one of my favourite posts so far!