Million is a popular lottery-style card game that is easy to learn and fun to play. The goal is to match as many numbers on your card to the randomly drawn numbers in order to complete a line and win money. Million can be played with 2-4 players and a standard deck of 52 cards.
What You Need to Play Million
To play million, you will need the following:
- 2-4 players
- 1 deck of 52 standard playing cards
- Million playing cards – 1 per player
- Poker chips or other tokens for betting
- A marker to cover called numbers
Million playing cards are similar to bingo cards, but with some key differences. Each card has 4 lines with 5 numbers in each line. The numbers range from 1 to 75. There are no duplicate numbers on a single card. You can purchase official million cards, or make your own using a million card template.
How to Set Up Million
To set up a game of million:
- Give each player a million card and some poker chips or tokens.
- Decide on a dealer – this can be one player or you can take turns.
- The dealer shuffles the deck of 52 standard playing cards.
- Players place initial bets in the pot.
Once the cards and chips are distributed and bets are placed, you are ready to begin playing million!
How to Play Million
The game play of million is straightforward and engaging:
- The dealer draws the first card from the deck and calls out the number.
- Players check their cards to see if they have the called number. If so, they mark it off.
- The dealer draws the next card and calls out the number.
- This continues until a player has a complete line marked off.
- When a player marks off a complete line, they yell “Million!” to stop the game.
- The player with the completed line wins the pot.
Here are some key rules to follow when playing:
- Numbers 1-75 correspond to the following cards:
- Aces = 1
- 2-10 = Face value
- Jacks = 11
- Queens = 12
- Kings = 13
- Once a number is drawn, it cannot be drawn again
- The dealer draws one card at a time until someone wins
- Players must mark off numbers on their card as they are called
- The first player to complete a full line wins
Scoring in Million
There are two ways to score points and win money in million:
- Completing a Line – The first player to complete a full line yells “Million!” and wins the current pot.
- Bonus Chips – Some million playing cards have “Bonus” spaces. If a player covers one of these, they win bonus chips from the pot immediately.
After a player wins by completing a line, all players draw new million cards and build the pot back up before the next round.
Million Card Strategies
To increase your odds of winning, there are some helpful strategies to keep in mind:
- Aim for lines closer to being completed when possible.
- Try to get “Bonus” spots early to win extra chips.
- Pay attention to what numbers other players need.
- Save a little bit of your pot for the endgame.
- Mark your card carefully and double check numbers.
- Announce “Million” loudly when you complete a line.
Million Variations
There are all kinds of ways to add variety and challenge to million games:
- Wild Numbers – Designate certain cards like jacks or 7s as wild.
- Bonus Numbers – Pick 1-3 numbers that pay out extra if completed.
- Multiple Winners – Allow all players who complete a line in the same round to split the pot.
- Progressive Pots – Carry over the pot if no one wins each round.
- 7-Card Million – Use only 7 cards in a line instead of 5.
Get creative with house rules to make million exciting for experienced players!
Million Glossary
Here are some key million terms to know:
| Million Card | Card with 4 lines of 5 numbers used to play million. |
| Caller | Player drawing and announcing the numbers. |
| Pot | Chips wagered by players during the game. |
| Line | One horizontal row on the million card. |
| Cover | To mark off a called number on your card. |
| Million | Term yelled when a player completes a line. |
| Bonus Chip | Prize won for covering a “Bonus” space. |
Tips for Winning at Million
Use these helpful tips to improve your million skills:
- Study your card thoroughly at the start to spot easy lines.
- Keep an eye on other players’ progress.
- Save chips to bet big when you’re close to winning.
- Aim for corners and edges first as they have fewer options.
- Call “Million” loudly and clearly as soon as you complete a line.
- Stay focused once you get down to 1-2 spots left.
- Double check your card before celebrating or showing it.
Hosting a Million Game Night
Million makes for an exciting game night! Here are some tips for hosting a fun and successful million party:
- Send digital invites with a million theme.
- Purchase or print million cards – 1 per player.
- Provide poker chips, tokens, and markers.
- Explain rules before starting if new players are joining.
- Appoint someone as the card caller/dealer.
- Take turns calling numbers to keep it fair.
- Have small prizes for winners like lottery tickets.
- Serve finger foods, wine, beer, and cocktails.
- Play music and create a fun, social atmosphere.
- Consider tournament style play with winners advancing.
With some good friends, snacks, and drinks, million makes for an inexpensive but exciting game night!
Where to Play Million
You can play million in all sorts of places:
- Home – The kitchen table or living room floor work perfectly.
- Bars – Many bars host million nights or have leagues.
- Fundraisers – Schools, churches, and nonprofits use million.
- Casinos – Some casinos offer million tables alongside other games.
- Events – Million can be found at county fairs, festivals, etc.
- Cruises – Million is a popular activity on cruise ship game nights.
- Online – There are sites and apps for playing million remotely.
Part of the appeal of million is that you can play almost anywhere! All you need is cards, chips, space, and 2-4 players.
Million Card Designs and Styles
While the basics of million cards are the same, there are many fun designs and styles out there. Some options include:
- Classic/Standard – Simple cards with blue grids and black text.
- Pink – Hot pink cards with feminine flair.
- Patriotic – Red, white and blue cards.
- Casino – Cards with poker and Las Vegas themes.
- Holiday – Christmas, Halloween or other holiday art.
- Pop Culture – Cards featuring TV shows, movies, etc.
- City – Local landmark or cityscape cards.
- Custom – Upload photos or art to make unique cards.
Fun million card designs add personality and style to your games. Collect different decks or make your own for endless variety!
Million Number Distribution Analysis
Analyzing the number distribution on million cards can reveal some interesting patterns. Here is a breakdown of the frequency of different number groups:
| Number Range | Frequency |
| 1-15 | 64 |
| 16-30 | 64 |
| 31-45 | 64 |
| 46-60 | 64 |
| 61-75 | 64 |
As you can see, the numbers are evenly distributed with each 15 number group appearing 64 times per card. This ensures fairness and equal probability across all the numbers.
Analyzing number frequency can help inform strategy. For example, targeting middle value numbers like 16-30 initially can provide more coverage as they appear in more lines. Understanding the math and stats behind million cards adds an extra layer of skill!
Million History and Origins
The exact origins of million are obscure, but it appears to have evolved from older lottery games like keno, bingo and lotto. Million emerged in the 20th century as a popular casino game. Here is a quick history overview:
- 1800s – Lottery games like policy become popular in America.
- 1920s – “Beano” game developed from which bingo would emerge.
- 1930s – Million starts appearing in Las Vegas casinos.
- 1940s – First custom million cards manufactured.
- 1950s – Million played at carnivals and charity events.
- 1960s – First million strategy books appear.
- 1980s – Million leagues and tournaments gain popularity.
- 2000s – Million goes online with electronic cards.
From illegal lottery origins to casino entertainment to home games, million has shown remarkable staying power. It remains popular today as both nostalgic entertainment and gambling competition.
Famous Million Champions and Players
While not as prominent as poker or other casino games, million has attracted some legendary players over the decades. Famous champions and top competitors include:
- Harry “The Hat” Schultz – Vegas million legend who wrote strategy books.
- Gloria Brown – “First Lady of Million” who won 4 World Series of Million tournaments.
- JT Mullin – Million circuit pro who won over 30 major tournaments.
- Dave Gavitt – Co-founder of the World Series of Million in Las Vegas.
- Alan “Hot Rod” Perry – Dominant million player throughout the 1990s.
- Joan Bolin – Million Hall of Famer with 10 world titles.
- Brian Callahan – Won first ever Million Players Championship in 1988.
Top players display mastery of both luck and strategy. They serve as aspirational figures in the competitive million scene.
World Series of Million
The premier competitive million event is the World Series of Million held annually in Las Vegas. It features:
- 5 day tournament at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
- Over 1,000 competitors.
- $500,000+ in prize money.
- Events like Million Players Championship.
- Male and female divisions.
- Winners receive championship rings & jackets.
The WSOP of Million showcases the highest level of competitive play. Qualifying tournaments are held around the U.S. throughout the year to advance to the main event.
Million Probability Calculations
Million strategy relies heavily on probability calculations. Understanding the odds for different card patterns can optimize decision making. Here are some key probabilities:
- Odds of winning on the 1st number called = 1 in 75
- Odds of winning after 10 numbers called ~ 6.5%
- Odds of winning after 20 numbers called ~ 18%
- Odds of winning after 30 numbers called ~ 43%
- Odds of winning after 40 numbers called ~ 78%
- Odds all 4 lines completed after 75 calls = 63%
As more numbers get called, the probabilities shift significantly in the player’s favor. Calculating these odds can pinpoint optimal strategies.
Conclusion
Million is a fun, fast-paced lottery game with simple rules but engaging strategy. It is easy to learn, accommodates any number of players, and generates excitement with every number called. Million’s social atmosphere makes for great game nights, fundraisers and casual entertainment.
With a long history and competitive circuit, million has established itself alongside poker, blackjack, and other classic American games. The next time you host friends and family, break out a deck of cards and million boards for hours of enjoyment. Yell “million!” loud and proud when you win!
