How to play Tambola
When you open Tambola you land on the home screen — a greeting over a sample ticket and a “Choose how to play” section with two cards. Tap Caller mode if you're hosting and calling numbers for the room, or Ticket mode to play along on your own phone. First time here? Take the quick 3-step tour offered on launch — you can replay it anytime from Settings.
Host the game — Caller mode
One phone becomes the caller for the whole room. You draw the numbers and everyone else plays on their tickets.
- HomeTap “Caller mode”On the home screen, choose the Caller mode card (“Call numbers yourself”).
- Choose your preferencePick caller-only or manage prizesSelect “Caller only” to just call numbers, or “Caller + manage prize” to run a cash pool. The Help (?) icon opens a quick “How Solo Caller works” refresher.
- Prize poolSet up prizes (optional)If you chose to manage prizes, set the total pool and the amount for each prize — Early Five, Top Line, Middle Line, Bottom Line and Full House are there by default. Use “Add prize” for custom ones, or “Auto-split” to divide the pool evenly. The “Allocated” line keeps you on budget.
- Choose your preferenceTap “Start calling”When everything looks right, tap “Start calling” to open the live caller.
- Caller ModeCall the numbersTap the big Call button to draw the next number — it shows as a ball and is announced aloud. Flip “Auto” on to call hands-free at a 3s, 5s or 8s pace. Tap the number ball to repeat the current call, or open the board to see what's been called and what's left.
- PrizesRecord the winnersWhen someone claims a win, tap the trophy “Prizes” icon, choose the prize, and enter the winner's name. Tambola tracks how many prizes are won and splits the pool for you.
- Game ResultsWrap up the roundAfter the Full House — or once every prize is claimed — you'll see “Game over”. Prize games open Game Results with the standings, where you can “Share result” or “Play again” for a fresh round.
Play along — Ticket mode
Follow the caller on your own phone and daub your ticket as numbers are called.
- HomeTap “Ticket mode”On the home screen, choose the Ticket mode card (“Play with a random ticket”).
- Choose your ticketShuffle to your lucky ticketYou're handed a random ticket. Tap “Shuffle for another” until you like it, then tap “Start playing”.
- Ticket ModeDaub as numbers are calledAs the caller announces each number, tap it on your ticket to mark it; tap again to undo. This is your personal marking companion — the caller's phone runs the actual draw.
Good to know
- Voice & language — Every call is announced aloud. Set the announce voice in Settings → “Announcement language” (or the in-game Game menu) — English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati and Kannada.
- Resume a game — If a game gets interrupted, Tambola offers “Resume your game?” the next time you open it — pick up right where you left off, or hold to discard.
- Make it yours — Settings lets you set an accent color, light or dark theme, accent intensity, haptics, and sound.