Getting Started with Tambola
Tambola is a traditional 90-ball group game of luck and focus. One person acts as the host (or caller) to draw numbers, while players mark matching digits on their printed tickets.
The 3x9 Ticket Layout
Each ticket is a grid of 3 horizontal rows and 9 vertical columns. Out of 27 grid spaces, exactly 15 contain numbers (5 per row). The columns are structured logically by tens:
- Column 1 contains numbers from 1 to 9.
- Column 2 houses numbers from 10 to 19.
- Column 3 holds numbers from 20 to 29.
- Column 9 holds numbers from 80 to 90.
This structure allows you to locate numbers instantly on your ticket. If the caller announces forty-five, look only in Column 5.
Basic Game Flow
- The host draws a number randomly, announces it twice, and logs it on the master board.
- Players search their tickets and cross out the matching number.
- The instant a player completes a target winning pattern, they must shout 'Tambola!' or 'Housie!' aloud to halt the game and claim their win.