How to Host Tambola on Zoom, Google Meet or WhatsApp Video
Family in different cities? Kitty party gone virtual? You can host a full Tambola night over any video call in under 10 minutes — no app downloads, no paid software. Here's exactly how.
✓Two ways to play online
| Party Room (recommended) | Screen share | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Players open a link on their own phone. Tickets and called numbers appear live. | You share your screen on a video call; players use tickets you send them. |
| Tickets | Created automatically for each player — the host picks 1 to 6 per player. | You generate, screenshot and send them on WhatsApp. |
| Best for | Big groups, relatives in different time zones, players with weak internet for video. | Small groups who are already on a video call together. |
| Claim checking | Host can see every player's ticket in the host panel. | Player shows ticket on camera or sends a photo. |
AMethod A — Party Room in 2 minutes
- Open TambolaCaller.com and tap the Room tab at the bottom.
- Under Host a Party Room, type a party name (for example "Gupta Family Diwali"), choose how many tickets each player gets (1 to 6), and tap Create Room.
- Copy the share link and post it on your family or kitty WhatsApp group.
- As players join, you'll see a live player count and every player's tickets in the host panel.
- Start the caller. Every player sees each number on their own phone and taps to mark their tickets.
- When someone claims, open the host panel to see their ticket and check it against the board.
BMethod B — Screen share
Already on a Zoom, Google Meet or WhatsApp video call? Follow steps 1–5 below.
1Generate and send tickets
- Open the free Housie ticket generator on TambolaCaller.com.
- Generate one ticket per player (or 2–3 each for a longer game).
- Screenshot each ticket and send it to players on WhatsApp before the call, or share the link so they generate their own.
- Players can strike numbers on paper, or mark the screenshot using their phone's photo editor.
2Set up the caller with screen share
- Start your Zoom / Google Meet / WhatsApp video call.
- Open TambolaCaller.com and switch on TV mode — the big board view.
- Click Share Screen so every player sees the board and hears the voice caller.
- Call numbers at a relaxed pace — online players need a few extra seconds to find numbers.
3Decide prizes before you start
Announce the winning patterns in the chat before the first number: Early Five, Top Line, Middle Line, Bottom Line, Corners, and Full House. For virtual games, fun prizes work best — a small gift couriered later, a sweet box on the next visit, a silly e-certificate, or "winner picks next weekend's movie." Keep it just for fun, with no money involved.
4Verifying claims online
When someone shouts a claim, ask them to hold their ticket up to the camera or send a photo in the chat. The board on your shared screen shows every called number, so verification takes seconds. Remember the classic rule — claims made after the next number is called are bogey!
5Make it fun
- Use the classic number nicknames — "Two fat ladies, 88!" gets laughs every time.
- Play a Bollywood song between games while the next tickets go out.
- Theme rounds for occasions: Diwali Tambola, birthday Housie, New Year countdown round.
- New to the game? Share the Tambola rules page with first-time players.
6Fix common problems
- Players can't hear the voice: on Zoom, stop sharing and share again with "Share sound" ticked. On Google Meet, share a Chrome tab (not the whole screen) so tab audio is included.
- Numbers are too small on phones: switch on TV Mode before sharing — the board and current number are much bigger.
- Echo or double voice: ask players to mute their microphones while numbers are being called and unmute only to claim.
- Someone's internet is slow: use a Party Room. Numbers arrive as tiny text updates, so they work even when video freezes.
- Relatives in different time zones: pick a time that suits the most players — weekend mornings in the US are evenings in India.
7Frequently asked questions
Do players need to download an app?
No. Everything runs in the browser on a phone, tablet or laptop. Players just open the link.
How many people can join a Party Room?
Party Rooms are designed for family and party-sized groups. For very large events, the screen-share method with printed or WhatsApp tickets works well alongside it.
Can I play on WhatsApp without a video call?
Yes. Share the Party Room link in your WhatsApp group. Players see called numbers live on their phones, and you can use the group chat to announce winners.
▶ Open the Free Tambola Caller & Ticket Generator