← All postsGuide

Advanced Tambola Prizes: Complete Guide to All Prize Variations for Family & Office Parties

14 Jun 20268 min

Introduction

Standard Tambola has 5 prizes — but experienced players know there are dozens of creative prize variations that make the game more exciting! Here's your complete guide to advanced Tambola prizes, perfect for family gatherings, office parties, kitty parties and large events.

If you already know the basics, this guide takes you further. The more players you have, the more prizes you want — extra prizes keep everyone engaged right up to the final Full House, instead of switching off after one line is claimed. The variations below are drawn from how Tambola is actually played across India, from Diwali nights in Delhi to wedding sangeets in Mumbai to Friday office parties. New to Tambola? Start with our complete guide to the standard prizes first, then come back here.

Understanding the Tambola Ticket

Quick recap of the ticket structure before explaining the prizes. Every ticket is 3 rows × 9 columns, with exactly 5 numbers per row (15 numbers total) and the rest blank. The positions that matter most for advanced prizes are the corners and the center:

┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│[TL]│ 12 │    │ 34 │    │ 56 │    │ 78 │[TR]│ ← Top Row
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│[ML]│    │ 23 │    │ 45 │[C] │ 67 │    │[MR]│ ← Middle Row
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│[BL]│ 18 │    │ 37 │    │ 59 │    │ 82 │[BR]│ ← Bottom Row
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

TL = Top-Left, TR = Top-Right, ML = Middle-Left, MR = Middle-Right BL = Bottom-Left, BR = Bottom-Right, C = Center

Key positions:

  • 4 Corners: TL, TR, BL, BR
  • 6 Corners: TL, TR + ML, MR + BL, BR
  • Center: the middle number of the middle row
  • Star = 4 corners + center

Standard Prizes (Quick Recap)

┌──────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┐
│ Prize                │ What to mark               │
├──────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┤
│ Early 5 / Fast 5     │ Any 5 numbers anywhere     │
│ Top Line             │ All 5 numbers in row 1     │
│ Middle Line          │ All 5 numbers in row 2     │
│ Bottom Line          │ All 5 numbers in row 3     │
│ Full House           │ All 15 numbers on ticket   │
└──────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘

Advanced Prize Variations

1. Four Corners

What it is: Mark all 4 corner numbers on your ticket.

┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│ ✓  │ 12 │    │ 34 │    │ 56 │    │ 78 │ ✓  │ ← corners
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│    │    │ 23 │    │ 45 │    │ 67 │    │    │
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│ ✓  │ 18 │    │ 37 │    │ 59 │    │ 82 │ ✓  │ ← corners
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

Why it's exciting: Four specific numbers that could be called at any time — creates suspense! Best for: Adding an extra prize between Early 5 and the lines. Typical prize: ₹100–200

2. Six Corners

What it is: Mark the first and last number of all 3 rows (6 numbers total).

┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│ ✓  │ 12 │    │ 34 │    │ 56 │    │ 78 │ ✓  │ ← row 1 ends
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│ ✓  │    │ 23 │    │ 45 │    │ 67 │    │ ✓  │ ← row 2 ends
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│ ✓  │ 18 │    │ 37 │    │ 59 │    │ 82 │ ✓  │ ← row 3 ends
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

Why it's exciting: Harder than Four Corners — keeps players engaged longer. Best for: Large groups where you want more prizes.

3. Star

What it is: Mark all 4 corners PLUS the center number of the middle row (5 numbers total).

┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│ ✓  │ 12 │    │ 34 │    │ 56 │    │ 78 │ ✓  │ ← corners ✓
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│    │    │ 23 │    │ ✓  │    │ 67 │    │    │ ← center ✓
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│ ✓  │ 18 │    │ 37 │    │ 59 │    │ 82 │ ✓  │ ← corners ✓
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

Why it's exciting: The star pattern is visually satisfying and creates a fun moment when complete! Tip: The center number is the 3rd number in the middle row (position 5 of the 9 columns).

4. Lucky 7

What it is: First player to mark any 7 numbers on their ticket wins Lucky 7.

Why it's exciting: Comes right after Early 5 — keeps the early momentum going! Typical timing: Called around number 15–30. Best for: Large groups — gives more players a chance to win early.

5. Early 7 / Early 10

Early 7: First to mark 7 numbers anywhere on the ticket. Early 10: First to mark 10 numbers anywhere on the ticket.

These are stepping stones between Early 5 and the lines — perfect for keeping players engaged throughout the game.

Typical timing:

  • Early 7: calls 15–30
  • Early 10: calls 25–45

6. Pairs

What it is: First player to have any 2 consecutive numbers called that appear on their ticket.

Example: numbers 34 and 35 both called, both on your ticket.

Why it's exciting: A very early prize — could be won within the first 5–10 calls! Best for: A warm-up prize to start the game. Note: Consecutive means the actual numbers (34, 35), not positions on the ticket.

7. Pyramid

What it is: A specific pattern — typically:

  • 1 number from the top row
  • 3 numbers from the middle row
  • 5 numbers from the bottom row (all 5)
┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│    │    │    │    │ ✓  │    │    │    │    │ ← 1 from top
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│    │    │ ✓  │    │ ✓  │    │ ✓  │    │    │ ← 3 from mid
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│ ✓  │ ✓  │    │ ✓  │    │ ✓  │    │ ✓  │    │ ← 5 from bot
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

Why it's exciting: A unique visual pattern — feels like an achievement when complete!

8. Full House 1, 2 and 3

What it is: Instead of one Full House winner, the game continues until 2 or 3 Full Houses are claimed.

Full House 1: First player to complete all 15 numbers. Full House 2: Second player to complete all 15 numbers. Full House 3: Third player — the game ends after this.

Prize structure (example for ₹1000 total):

  • Full House 1: ₹500
  • Full House 2: ₹300
  • Full House 3: ₹200

Why it's exciting: Keeps the game going after the first house — no one gives up early! Best for: Large groups of 20+ players.

9. BP (Blood Pressure) 🩺

What it is: A fun cultural prize! The player who marks both number 12 and number 8 on their ticket (referencing 120/80 blood pressure) wins the BP prize.

Alternative version: Any player who has the lowest number AND the highest number on their ticket both called.

Why it's exciting: Classic Indian Tambola humour — everyone laughs when BP is called! Best for: Family games where you want funny moments. Typical prize: A small amount or a fun gift.

10. Temperature 🌡️

What it is: The player who has number 37 (37°C body temperature) on their ticket, when it gets called, wins!

Alternative: A numbers 98 or 99 (Fahrenheit) version.

Why it's exciting: Another fun cultural prize — creates a memorable moment!

11. Laddu 🍬

What it is: The player who marks the center number of the middle row wins the Laddu prize.

┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
│    │ 12 │    │ 34 │    │ 56 │    │ 78 │    │
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│    │    │ 23 │    │[✓] │    │ 67 │    │    │ ← CENTER
├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤
│    │ 18 │    │ 37 │    │ 59 │    │ 82 │    │
└────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘

Why it's exciting: Named after the famous Indian sweet — the winner gets a box of laddus (or the cash equivalent)! Best for: Festive occasions like Diwali and weddings.

12. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 🍽️

These are alternate names for the three line prizes:

  • Breakfast = Top Line (start of the day)
  • Lunch = Middle Line (middle of the day)
  • Dinner = Bottom Line (end of the day)

Popular at office parties and family gatherings for adding a fun theme to the game!

Recommended Prize Structures

For Small Groups (5–10 players)

  1. Fast 5
  2. Top Line
  3. Middle Line
  4. Bottom Line
  5. Full House

Simple, classic, everyone understands.

For Medium Groups (10–20 players)

  1. Fast 5
  2. Four Corners
  3. Top Line (Breakfast)
  4. Middle Line (Lunch)
  5. Bottom Line (Dinner)
  6. Full House

Adds variety without overwhelming players.

For Large Groups (20–50 players)

  1. Fast 5
  2. Lucky 7
  3. Four Corners
  4. Top Line
  5. Middle Line
  6. Bottom Line
  7. Star
  8. Full House 1
  9. Full House 2

This structure creates enough winners to keep everyone engaged throughout. Usually takes 60–80 numbers to complete.

For Festival / Diwali Games

  1. Fast 5
  2. Four Corners
  3. Laddu (center number)
  4. Top Line
  5. BP (fun prize)
  6. Middle Line
  7. Temperature (fun prize)
  8. Bottom Line
  9. Full House 1
  10. Full House 2

A mix of standard and fun cultural prizes!

Prize Money Calculator

For a group, decide the total prize pool first. Then split it:

  • Fast 5: 10% of pool
  • Lines (×3): 15% each = 45%
  • Special prizes: 5–10% each
  • Full House: 25–30% of pool

Example for a ₹2000 pool:

  • Fast 5: ₹200
  • Four Corners: ₹100
  • Each Line: ₹300 (×3 = ₹900)
  • Full House: ₹600
  • Remaining ₹200 for fun prizes

Tips for Hosting a Great Tambola

  1. Announce prizes before starting — everyone should know what they're playing for
  2. Write the prize structure on a board or share it on WhatsApp
  3. Use the Tambola app for automatic number calling and claim verification
  4. Set an appropriate speed — 8–10 seconds for large groups
  5. Play in Hindi for an authentic atmosphere
  6. Have fun prizes like BP and Temperature for laughs
  7. Enable shared winners in the app for fair play when two people claim simultaneously

Coming Soon in the Tambola App

We're working on adding these advanced prizes to the Tambola app:

  • Four Corners detection
  • Star pattern
  • Early 7 and Early 10
  • Multiple Full Houses
  • Fun prizes (BP, Temperature, Laddu)

In the meantime, all five standard prizes — plus multiplayer rooms, AI opponents and 10 Indian language callers — are ready to play right now. Download the Tambola app free on the App Store and Play Store.

Ready to play Tambola?

Free, offline and multiplayer. No sign-up needed.

Download free →