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.
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.
Tip: On Zoom, tick "Share sound" when you share your screen so the voice caller is heard clearly by everyone.
3Decide prizes before you start
Announce the dividends in the chat before the first number: Early Five, Top Line, Middle Line, Bottom Line, Corners, and Full House. For virtual games, prizes work great as UPI transfers, gift cards, or "winner picks next weekend's movie."
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.