How to Play Tombala: Rules, Cards and Winning Tips

By Nesim Razon, independent Android developer

Tombala is a cheerful 90-ball number game, close to bingo, that is popular in Turkey. You mark the numbers that are drawn on your card and try to be the first to complete a line, two lines and finally the whole card. Here is how a round works and how to play it well.

The card

A Tombala card has 3 rows and 9 columns. Each row holds 5 numbers and the other 4 squares are empty, so a card carries 15 numbers in total.

The columns follow the number ranges: the first column uses 1 to 9, the second 10 to 19, and so on, up to the last column which uses 80 to 90. Every column holds between one and three numbers, sorted from small to large.

The draw

The numbers 1 to 90 are drawn one by one in random order, each number only once. When a number is drawn, look for it on your cards. If you have it, mark it.

The three prizes

• 1st line: all 5 numbers of one row are marked.
• 2nd line: two full rows are marked on the same card.
• Tombala: all 15 numbers of a card are marked. This ends the round.

The prizes are given in order. Nobody can take the 2nd line before the 1st line has been called, and the Tombala comes last. When you complete the row that you need, call it right away: the first player to call gets the prize.

Playing with more than one card

More cards mean more chances that a drawn number is useful, but also more to watch. A beginner is comfortable with one card. Once marking feels natural, try two or three. A set of six cards covers every number from 1 to 90 exactly once, which is how printed Tombala sheets are usually made.

Tips for calling first

• Watch the rows, not only single numbers. A row with one number missing is your best chance, so keep an eye on it.
• Mark every drawn number at once, before you look at anything else. A late mark is the most common reason to lose a prize by a second.
• Press the call button as soon as you qualify. Hesitating gives the others time.
• Keep an eye on how close the other players are. If a rival is one number away, expect a call very soon.
• If you cannot decide, play with fewer cards and keep them all in view.

Playing Tombalings

In Tombalings you play against three friendly rivals. You can use one to three cards, choose slow, normal or fast balls, and decide how sharp the rivals are. You tap a drawn number on your card to mark it, then press the big button to call the 1st line, the 2nd line or the Tombala. Auto-mark and auto-call are optional, so turn them off if you want a real challenge. It is just for fun: there is no real money and no betting.