Bingo chips are the small, flat discs that players use to cover called numbers on reusable bingo cards. While bingo daubers have become the standard at most bingo halls, chips remain the go-to choice for home games, senior centers, classrooms, and anyone using reusable or laminated bingo cards. They are affordable, reusable, and available in a variety of styles to suit every setting.
This guide covers every type of bingo chip available, where to buy them at the best prices, and what alternatives you can use in a pinch.
What Are Bingo Chips?
Bingo chips are round, lightweight markers typically made from plastic. They sit on top of bingo cards to indicate which numbers have been called. Unlike bingo daubers, which permanently mark paper cards with ink, chips can be removed and reused game after game, making them ideal for settings where cards are used repeatedly.
Standard bingo chips are roughly three-quarters of an inch to one inch in diameter and come in a variety of colors. Most chips are sold in bags of 100 to 300 pieces, with mixed-color bags being the most popular option for home games.
Types of Bingo Chips
Translucent Chips
Translucent bingo chips are the most popular style and the best choice for most players. Because you can see through them, you can read the number on the card underneath without lifting the chip. This makes it easy to verify your card during play and reduces mistakes. They typically come in bright colors like red, blue, green, yellow, and purple.
Opaque Chips
Opaque chips are solid-colored discs that completely cover the number underneath. They are slightly cheaper than translucent chips but less practical for gameplay since you cannot see the number without removing the chip. These work fine for casual games where speed is not critical, and some players prefer them for their classic look and feel.
Magnetic Chips
Magnetic bingo chips are designed to work with special magnetic wands. After the game ends, the caller waves a magnetic wand over the cards and all the chips lift off at once, making cleanup incredibly fast. This style is especially popular at senior centers and care facilities where manual cleanup can be time-consuming. Magnetic chips cost more than standard chips but save significant time when running multiple games in a row.
Best for seniors: Magnetic chips with a cleanup wand are the #1 recommendation for care facilities. They save time between rounds and reduce the physical effort of clearing cards.
Sliding Window Cards
These are not technically chips but rather a built-in feature of certain reusable bingo cards. Sliding window cards have small red or green shutters that slide over each number when called. They eliminate the need for separate chips entirely and are a great option for travel or situations where loose chips could be a problem, such as car rides or outdoor games.
How Many Bingo Chips Do You Need Per Player?
Each player needs enough chips to cover every space on their bingo card. A standard 5×5 bingo card has 24 numbered spaces plus one free space, so each player needs at least 24 chips per card. However, most players use multiple cards per game, and you will want extra chips on hand for replacements.
A good rule of thumb:
| Setting | Cards per Player | Chips Needed per Player |
|---|---|---|
| Family game (casual) | 1 – 2 | ~50 chips |
| Small group event | 2 – 3 | ~75 chips |
| Large event / hall | 3 – 6 | ~100 chips |
For a family game night with four players, a single bag of 200 chips is plenty. For a large event with 50 players, plan on 2,500 to 5,000 chips.
Where to Buy Bingo Chips
Online Retailers
Amazon is the best online source for bingo chips, offering dozens of options from basic bags of 100 to bulk packs of 1,000 or more. Prices on Amazon typically range from $5 to $15 for standard bags, with bulk options available for large events. Specialty bingo supply websites like Bingo Card Central and Arrow International offer professional-grade chips in bulk at competitive per-unit pricing.
Retail Stores
Dollar Tree sells small bags of bingo chips for $1.25, making it the cheapest brick-and-mortar option. The bags are small but perfectly adequate for a family game. Walmart, Target, and craft stores like Michaels also carry bingo chips, typically in the toy and games section for $3 to $8 per bag.
Bingo Chips at Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree is a favorite among budget-conscious bingo players for good reason. For just $1.25, you get a bag of bingo chips that works perfectly for home games and small groups. The chips are typically translucent, come in mixed colors, and are standard size. The quantity per bag is smaller than what you would get from Amazon, usually around 50 to 75 chips, but at that price you can grab multiple bags without hesitation.
Dollar Tree inventory varies by location, so call ahead or check a few locations if your nearest store is out of stock. Many stores restock midweek, so Tuesday through Thursday visits tend to have the best selection.
DIY Alternatives: Coins, Buttons, Candy as Markers
If you need bingo markers in a pinch, plenty of household items work as substitutes:
- Coins — pennies work great and every household has a jar of them
- Buttons — raid the sewing kit for an assortment of colorful markers
- Candy — M&Ms, Skittles, or gummy bears make the game sweeter (kids love this)
- Dry beans — the original bingo marker, giving the game its early name “Beano”
- Small stones or pebbles — a free option for outdoor bingo games
- Cereal pieces — Cheerios and Fruit Loops work well for toddler games
Bingo Chips vs Daubers: Which Is Better?
| Feature | Bingo Chips | Bingo Daubers |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Reusable / laminated | Disposable paper |
| Reusable? | Yes — unlimited uses | No — one use per card |
| Speed | Moderate | Fast |
| Best for | Home games, kids, seniors | Bingo halls, events |
| Price | $1.25 – $10 per bag | $1 – $3 each |
| Mess factor | None | Ink can stain |
Choose bingo chips if you use reusable or laminated cards, play at home regularly, need a budget-friendly reusable option, or are playing with young children who enjoy the tactile experience of placing markers.
Choose bingo daubers if you use disposable paper cards, play at a bingo hall, want faster gameplay, or prefer the satisfying stamp of ink on paper.
Best Bingo Chips for Different Settings
For kids: Go with large, brightly colored translucent chips that are easy for small hands to pick up. Avoid very small chips that could be a choking hazard for toddlers.
For seniors: Magnetic chips with a cleanup wand are the best investment. They reduce the physical effort of clearing cards between games and speed up the transition between rounds.
For large events: Buy translucent chips in bulk from Amazon or a specialty bingo supply site. Assign different colors to different tables or game rounds for easy organization. Have at least 20 percent more chips than you think you need.
Keep exploring: Also explore bingo balls guide, bingo cage guide, and how to play bingo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but chips work best on reusable or laminated cards where they sit flat. On thin paper cards, chips can slide around or be bumped off easily. For paper cards, bingo daubers are a better choice since they permanently mark the number.
Magnetic bingo chips contain a small metal disc or are made from a magnetic material. After the game, you wave a magnetic wand (sold separately or in a set) over the card, and all the chips lift off and cling to the wand. It makes cleanup between games extremely fast.
Standard bingo chips are about 3/4 inch (19mm) in diameter, which fits well on most bingo cards. For young children or seniors with dexterity issues, look for larger chips (1 inch or 25mm) that are easier to pick up and place.
No matter which type you choose, a good set of bingo chips is an affordable investment that will last for hundreds of games. Pair them with a quality bingo kit and you are ready to play.