Tabletop games
Lotto
- players
- 2–30
- minutes
- 30
- years
- 5+
In the box
Lotto cards, a cage or a bag of numbered counters
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- Betting and BluffingBingoPattern Recognition
Where to buy it
Near you and online
In a shop
Within 50 km.
Online
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The basics
Each player marks off the numbers drawn on their card, to complete a line, then the whole card. The caller, who does not play, draws a number and announces it: everyone marks it off if they have it, and you shout "line" as soon as a line is complete, "full house" when the whole card is. A game stops at a full house; one line is worth 1 point, two lines 2, a full house 3, added up over the evening's games.
The rules, step by step
Setup
1 card per player, Cage or bag, Caller doesn't play
- One card per player, or several for regulars. A cage or a bag of numbered counters.
- A caller draws and announces the numbers; they do not play.
How to play
The caller announces, Mark off your card, Full row: call “Line”
- The caller draws a number and announces it out loud.
- Each player marks it off if it is on their card.
- Shout "line" (quine) as soon as a line is complete, and "full house" (carton plein) when the whole card is.
Scoring
One line 1 point, Two lines 2, Full house 3
- One line: 1 point. Two lines: 2 points. A full house: 3 points.
- The counter is for evenings with several games, where totals are added up across them all.
End of the game
Ends at a full house, 1 game per prize
- A game stops at a full house, or earlier if you only play for a line.
- An evening runs as many games as there are prizes.
House rules and pitfalls
A false call cancels the card for the current game: that is the rule in village halls.
- A false call cancels the card for the current game: that is the rule in village halls.
- The caller must keep the numbers drawn visible, otherwise disputes cannot be settled.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a line and a full house?
A line (quine) is one complete row; a full house (carton plein) is every number on the card. A lotto evening usually rewards both, with a bigger prize for the full house.