Break-Open Bingo

Break-open bingo is a form of bingo in which an organization calls and posts a predetermined quantity of bingo numbers. The game is then stopped while sales continue and is resumed later during the occasion.

Equipment Needed

Break-open bingo may only be played with individually sealed bingo paper sheets or facsimiles of sealed paper used with an electronic bingo device. Also required is either a bingo board or another set of bingo balls and one of the following:

a separate bingo ball selection device; or
a separate tray within the bingo ball selection device, or a separate bingo ball container that must remain in view of players at all times during the game.

Bingo Program or House Rules

The bingo program or house rules must include:

price and color of all original sealed bingo paper sheets;
price of “trade-in” sheets. Trade-ins are not allowed for facsimiles used with an electronic bingo device; and
a statement that identical bingo faces may occur during the game.

Price and Sales of Sealed Paper

Price	The price for each sealed bingo paper sheet must be the same as the selling price stated on the distributor invoice. Sell all sealed bingo paper sheets in the original set for the same price (for example, $2 each) Sell all sealed bingo paper sheets in the “trade-in set” for the same price (for example, $1 each). The price of the “trade-in set” may be different from the price of the original set. If trade-ins of sealed bingo paper sheets are used, the original sheet must be a different color from the second set (the "trade-in set").
Sales during bingo occasion	Sealed bingo paper sheets or facsimiles may continue to be sold throughout the bingo occasion until the breakopen bingo game is resumed. No additional sealed paper or facsimiles may be sold once your organization resumes calling bingo numbers for the break-open game.

Price

The price for each sealed bingo paper sheet must be the same as the selling price stated on the distributor invoice.

Sell all sealed bingo paper sheets in the original set for the same price (for example, $2 each)
Sell all sealed bingo paper sheets in the “trade-in set” for the same price (for example, $1 each).
The price of the “trade-in set” may be different from the price of the original set. If trade-ins of sealed bingo paper sheets are used, the original sheet must be a different color from the second set (the "trade-in set").

Sales during bingo occasion

Sealed bingo paper sheets or facsimiles may continue to be sold throughout the bingo occasion until the breakopen bingo game is resumed. No additional sealed paper or facsimiles may be sold once your organization resumes calling bingo numbers for the break-open game.

Conduct

Compliance	All rules and statutes regarding the conduct and recordkeeping for bingo also apply to break-open bingo games.
Post numbers	In the presence of players attending the bingo occasion, call and post a predetermined quantity of bingo numbers.
Ask for winners	After the predetermined quantity of bingo numbers has been called and posted, and immediately before the game resumes with the selection of the next bingo number, ask if any player has completed the required bingo pattern or bingo game requirement. All players who complete the game pattern or game requirement within the predetermined quantity of numbers initially called are considered winners, regardless of the last bingo number called. If there are no winning bingos after the predetermined quantity of bingo numbers has been drawn, called, and posted, continue the bingo game until a player completes the winning pattern or game requirement.
Award prizes and end game	After bingo is declared and verified, award the designated prize to the winning player(s) and end the bingo game.