The original iteration of the programme was made by Thames Television and Action Time for ITV, running for a single series with host Martin Daniels from 12 May to 14 July 1988.
The bingo element has been eliminated in the revival, focusing instead entirely on the word guessing game.
If the team fails to identify the word within five guesses, fails to make a guess within a time limit, gives a misspelt or otherwise invalid word, control is passed to the opposing team and one of the correct letters is revealed.
Drawing a red ball immediately ended the team's turn and passed control to their opponents.
Forming a "Lingo" line of five numbers in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally awarded a £100 bonus.
The team with the highest score at the end of the game advanced to the bonus round "No Lingo"; the team was given a new card with 16 spaces covered, arranged in a star shape along the diagonals, middle row and middle column (but excluding the centre space).
Unlike the main game, the objective was to avoid forming a line of five in a row.
If the team drew a numbered ball, it was discarded and marked off if it appeared on their card.
Unlike the civilian version, losing teams receive a consolation prize of £1,000.