Traditional UK 90-Ball Bingo Number Nicknames
Discover all the classic UK 90-ball bingo number calls, from Kelly’s Eye to Top of the Shop. Learn the rhymes, visual cues, and historical references behind each number to make your bingo nights more fun and memorable.
Whether you're playing at home, hosting a charity fundraiser, or simply brushing up on your bingo knowledge, this guide provides the full list of traditional bingo nicknames.
Why Use Traditional Bingo Nicknames?
In the UK, bingo calls are more than just numbers—they are part of a rich tradition. Using these nicknames:
- Adds excitement to the game and engages players.
- Makes numbers easier to remember, especially for beginners.
- Preserves the fun rhymes and historical references that make UK bingo unique.
UK 90-Ball Bingo Number Table
| Number | Call Name | Meaning / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly’s Eye | Traditional military slang; also “At the Beginning.” |
| 2 | One Little Duck | Shape of the number. Alt: Me and You (Rhyme). |
| 3 | Cup of Tea | Rhyme. Alt: You and Me. |
| 4 | Knock at the Door | Rhyme. |
| 5 | Man Alive | Rhyme. |
| 6 | Half a Dozen | Alt: Tom Mix (Rhyme). |
| 7 | Lucky Seven | Traditional “lucky” number. |
| 8 | Garden Gate | Rhyme. Sometimes: One Fat Lady (Visual), though some callers avoid this. |
| 9 | Doctor’s Orders | WWI pill reference. Response: “Cough, cough!” |
| 10 | Downing Street | [Prime Minister’s name]’s den. |
| 11 | Legs Eleven | Visual. Response: Wolf whistle (Traditional). |
| 12 | One Dozen | 12 in a dozen. |
| 13 | Unlucky for Some | Common superstition. |
| 14 | Valentine’s Day | February 14th. |
| 15 | Young and Keen | Rhyme. |
| 16 | Sweet Sixteen | Alt: Never Been Kissed. |
| 17 | Dancing Queen | ABBA song reference. Traditional alts: Old Ireland; At the Gate. |
| 18 | Coming of Age | Voting/Drinking age. |
| 19 | Keep 'em Keen | Alt: Goodbye Teens. |
| 20 | One Score | 20 = a score. Alt: Getting Plenty. |
| 21 | Key of the Door | Traditional age of majority. |
| 22 | Two Little Ducks | Visual. Response: “Quack quack!” |
| 23 | Thee and Me | Rhyme. Alt: The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23). |
| 24 | Two Dozen | 2 × 12. |
| 25 | Duck and Dive | Rhyme. |
| 26 | Bed and Breakfast | Traditional price (2/6). Alt: Half a Crown. |
| 27 | Gateway to Heaven | Rhyme. |
| 28 | In a State | Cockney rhyming slang (Two-and-eight = state). |
| 29 | Rise and Shine | Rhyme. |
| 30 | Dirty Gertie | WWII song reference (“Dirty Gertie from Number 30”). Alt: Blind 30. |
| 31 | Get Up and Run | Rhyme. |
| 32 | Buckle My Shoe | Rhyme. |
| 33 | All the Threes | Alt: Fish, Chips and Peas. Dirty Knees. |
| 34 | Ask for More | Rhyme. |
| 35 | Jump and Jive | Rhyme/Dance. |
| 36 | Three Dozen | 3 × 12. |
| 37 | More than Eleven | Rhyme. |
| 38 | Christmas Cake | Rhyme. |
| 39 | Steps | Refers to The 39 Steps (Novel/Film). |
| 40 | Life Begins | Refers to the saying “Life begins at 40.” |
| 41 | Time for Fun | Rhyme. |
| 42 | Winnie the Pooh | Rhyme. |
| 43 | Down on Your Knees | Rhyme/Wartime phrase. |
| 44 | Droopy Drawers | Rhyme. Alt: All the Fours; Diana Dors. |
| 45 | Halfway There | Half of 90. Alt: Halfway House. |
| 46 | Up to Tricks | Rhyme. |
| 47 | Four and Seven | Simple call. |
| 48 | Four Dozen | 4 × 12. |
| 49 | PC 49 | 1940s radio show. Response: “Evening, all!” |
| 50 | Half a Century | Half of 100. Alt: Bullseye (Darts). |
| 51 | Tweak of the Thumb | Rhyme. Alt: The Royal Marines. |
| 52 | Weeks in a Year | Alt: Danny La Rue (Rhyme); Deck of Cards. |
| 53 | Stuck in the Tree | Rhyme. Alt: Here Comes Herbie (Car #53). |
| 54 | Clean the Floor | Rhyme. Alt: Man at the Door. |
| 55 | All the Fives | Alt: Snakes Alive (Rhyme). |
| 56 | Was She Worth It? | Price of marriage licence (5/6). Response: “Every penny!” |
| 57 | Heinz Varieties | Refers to Heinz 57. |
| 58 | Make Them Wait | Rhyme. |
| 59 | Brighton Line | Rhyme. |
| 60 | Five Dozen | Alt: Grandma's Getting Frisky (Rhyme). |
| 61 | Baker’s Bun | Rhyme. |
| 62 | Tickety-Boo | Rhyme. |
| 63 | Tickle Me | Rhyme. |
| 64 | Almost Retired | One year before the old retirement age. |
| 65 | Old Age Pension | Traditional retirement age. |
| 66 | Clickety Click | Rhyme. |
| 67 | Stairway to Heaven | Rhyme. |
| 68 | Saving Grace | Rhyme. Alt: Pick a Mate. |
| 69 | Either Way Up | Visual. Alt: Meal for Two. |
| 70 | Three Score and Ten | Biblical lifespan. |
| 71 | Bang on the Drum | Rhyme. Popular alt: J-Lo’s Bum. |
| 72 | Six Dozen | 6 × 12. |
| 73 | Queen Bee | Rhyme. |
| 74 | Candy Store | Rhyme. |
| 75 | Strive and Strive | Rhyme. |
| 76 | Trombones | From the song “76 Trombones.” |
| 77 | Sunset Strip | From the TV show. Alt: Two Little Crutches. |
| 78 | Heaven’s Gate | Rhyme. Alt: 39 More Steps (39+39). |
| 79 | One More Time | Rhyme. |
| 80 | Eight and Blank | |
| 81 | Stop and Run | Rhyme. Alt: Fat Lady with a Stick. |
| 82 | Straight on Through | Rhyme. |
| 83 | Time for Tea | Rhyme. Alt: Ethel’s Knee. |
| 84 | Seven Dozen | 7 × 12. Alt: Give Me More. |
| 85 | Staying Alive | Bee Gees song. |
| 86 | Between the Sticks | Rhyme (Goalkeeper reference). |
| 87 | Torquay in Devon | Rhyme. |
| 88 | Two Fat Ladies | Visual. Response: “Wobble wobble!” |
| 89 | Nearly There | One away from the end. |
| 90 | Top of the Shop | The final and highest number. |
Download the Table
Download the UK 90-ball bingo number table as a PDF. The file is formatted across three A4 pages for easy printing.
Tips for Using Bingo Nicknames
- Learn the rhymes to make your bingo calling lively and fun.
- Visual cues help players remember numbers like Two Little Ducks or Legs Eleven.
- Some nicknames have alternative meanings or humorous cultural references—feel free to mix them up for variety.
- Use them in both small home games and larger fundraisers for maximum engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to memorise all the nicknames?
Not necessarily. Many callers use cheat sheets or printable lists, especially for beginners. Over time, the rhymes become familiar.
Are these nicknames used everywhere in the UK?
Most are widely recognised, but some regional variations exist. The table here includes the most traditional and popular calls.
Can these nicknames be used for educational games?
Absolutely! Teachers and parents can use bingo nicknames to help children with number recognition, rhymes, and memory skills.
Download Your Free Bingo Tickets
Ready to put these names into practice? Check out our range of free A4 printable bingo tickets. They are designed specifically for home printing, ensuring you have everything you need for bingo fun!
