Best Pull Tab Games for Bingo Nights and Community Events
Pull tabs and bingo nights are a natural combination. Both games are easy to play, require no special skills, and create a fun social atmosphere that keeps players coming back. Whether you are running a weekly bingo night at a VFW hall, organizing a community fundraiser or planning a church social, adding pull tabs to your event can significantly boost engagement and revenue.
Here is a guide to choosing the best pull tab games for your next bingo night or community event.
Why Pull Tabs Work So Well at Bingo Events
Bingo players are already in the right mindset for pull tabs. They came to play games, they are comfortable spending money on entertainment, and they enjoy the social energy of a room full of players. Pull tabs fit naturally into that environment.
Between bingo rounds is the perfect time to sell pull tabs. Players are already at their seats, waiting for the next game to begin. A volunteer walking the floor with pull tabs during breaks can sell through tickets quickly without disrupting the flow of the event.
Pull tabs also give players who did not win at bingo another chance to walk away with something, which keeps the mood positive throughout the night.
Types of Pull Tab Games That Work Best at Bingo Nights
Not every pull tab game is the right fit for every event. Here are the formats that tend to work best in a bingo or community setting.
Instant Pull Tabs are the easiest to manage and the most familiar format for first-time players. Players open their ticket and know immediately if they have won. These move quickly and are easy for volunteers to sell and pay out. A great choice for events where you want to keep things simple and fast-paced.
Seal Card Games are particularly well-suited for bingo nights because they create a shared experience. Players purchase tickets throughout the evening and hold them. At the end of the night, the operator opens the seal card to reveal the winning numbers. This format builds anticipation across the entire event and gives players a reason to stay until the end.
Pull Chips add a tactile variety that many bingo regulars enjoy as a change of pace. Players pull a chip from a board instead of opening a paper ticket. Setting up a pull chip board near the entrance or concession area works well for drawing players in before the event starts.
Cash Boards are a strong choice for larger events where you want to run a bigger game. The display board creates visual interest in the room and encourages players who might not have tried pull tabs before to give it a shot.
Tips for Running Pull Tabs at Your Bingo Night
A few simple practices can make a big difference in how well your pull tab program performs at community events.
Train your volunteers before the event starts. Make sure everyone knows the payout structure for each game and how to verify and pay out winners quickly. Slow payouts disrupt the energy of the room.
Set up your ticket station in a high-traffic area. Near the entrance, the concession stand or the main bingo table all work well. Visibility is key. Players who see the tickets are far more likely to buy than players who have to seek them out.
Announce pull tab winners during bingo breaks. Calling out a winner over the microphone creates excitement and reminds the whole room that people are winning. This drives additional ticket sales.
Consider running a theme that ties your pull tabs to your event. Patriotic games work well for summer events, holiday-themed games are popular in fall and winter, and games with larger top prizes tend to draw more interest at annual fundraisers.
Rotate your games from event to event. Regular bingo attendees will notice if you run the same game every week. Variety keeps players interested and gives them a reason to buy tickets even if they played last time.
How to Maximize Revenue at Community Events
The organizations that generate the most pull tab revenue at community events share a few common practices. They actively promote the games before and during the event rather than waiting for players to come to them. They use volunteers who are enthusiastic and comfortable asking players if they want to buy a ticket. And they create urgency by announcing how many tickets are left as a game gets close to selling out.
Pairing pull tabs with other fundraising activities such as 50/50 raffles or door prizes can also increase overall participation. Players who are already in a giving mindset are more likely to try pull tabs when they see other games happening around them.
Ready to Stock Up for Your Next Event?
EZPullTabs.com carries a full selection of instant pull tabs, seal card games, pull chips and cash boards. All orders ship fast with no minimum order requirements, so you can order exactly what you need for your next event without committing to large quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pull tab games work best for bingo nights? Seal card games work especially well at bingo nights because they build anticipation throughout the event. Instant pull tabs are also popular because they are easy to sell and pay out quickly between bingo rounds.
Can you sell pull tabs at a community fundraiser? Most states allow pull tabs at charitable fundraising events with the proper licensing. Check with your state gaming commission before selling pull tabs at your event.
How do you sell pull tabs at an event? The most effective approach is to have enthusiastic volunteers walk the floor selling tickets, announce winners publicly to create excitement, and set up a visible ticket station in a high-traffic area.
How many pull tab games should I order for my event? This depends on your expected attendance and how many rounds of bingo you plan to run. Starting with one or two games and reordering as needed is a good approach for first-time events.
Are pull tabs appropriate for all ages at community events? Pull tab age restrictions vary by state. Most states require players to be at least 18 years old. Always verify the age requirements in your jurisdiction before selling pull tabs at a community event.
Pull tab games may be regulated in your state. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to verify that these products are legal in their jurisdiction before purchasing. Not available in Pennsylvania (PA).