How to host music bingo

Before the night

1. Pick a theme your guests will know: a decade, a genre, Christmas songs, or songs from the couple's wedding playlist.
2. Write the playlist with at least 36 songs for 5×5 cards (24 squares each). More songs give longer, fairer rounds.
3. Make the cards from the same list and print one per player, plus the caller sheet.
4. Set up the playlist on shuffle, or follow the order on the caller sheet, and test the speaker.

Running a round

1. Announce the winning pattern: one line, then two lines, then blackout works well for three rounds.
2. Play 30 to 45 seconds of each song. The chorus is easiest; the intro is harder.
3. Tick each song on the caller sheet as it plays, so you can check winners.
4. When someone calls bingo, pause the music and read their marked titles back against your sheet.

Tips

• Players mark a square only when they recognise the song. No phones: name-that-tune apps take the fun away.
• Teams of two to four are livelier than solo cards at a party or pub quiz.
• For mixed ages, mix decades so every table knows some songs.
• Playing music in a bar, café or other business usually needs a public performance licence. Check that your venue has one.