Bingo Guide

Bingo is one of the most popular game of chance in the Western world. It is played by all ages, young and old. It is played for fun, professionally, and even as an educational exercise.

This particular game of chance is a game of chance is played when numbers are randomly drawn and players must match the numbers to those printed on a 5x5 matrice. The matrices are printed electronically and they are called “bingo cards.” To win, a player must match the numbers drawn to the numbers on the bingo card.

If the numbers on the card form a specific pattern, the bingo game has a winner, and that person must shouts “Bingo.” Calling out “bingo” is important because it alerts the other players to pause and the bingo number caller to check the bingo card for accuracy. It is important that the bingo card be checked so that he or she can confirm that there really is a winner and pay the prize.

A Brief History of Bingo

Bingo has a long history. In fact, it is believed that the original bingo game originated in 1530, in Spain. A few centuries later the French added a caller, someone reading out the numbers, and also included playing cards and tokens.

Legend has it that the term “bingo” actually came about by accident. In the 1920s, Americans were playing “Beano.” One player during a carnival game in Atlanta was overjoyed that he won that, instead of calling out “beano” he shouted “bingo.” And the rest, as they say, is history.

Back then Bingo was only played in local bingo halls and social gatherings. Nowadays players have a few options for playing bingo: live bingo halls, casinos, or online bingo halls. Live bingo halls and casinos are more social, but online bingo halls give you your quick bingo fix from the comfort of your home.

How to Play Bingo

When a bingo player joins a game, he or she is given a bingo playing card which is marked with a grid or matrices on which a unique combination of numbers are electronically printed. Then, the caller, who does not play, but sits apart from the players, announces what the winning pattern will be. Then, the caller selects a random ball from a container.

The ball has a number on it, and this number is called out to the players. The caller puts the ball aside, because each number can only be called once. Players look to their bingo cards and if they have this number printed on it, they mark it. A player must act quickly. A player skill is all in the ability to search the numbers quickly, before the next number is called. When it comes to bingo, there is no time to waste.

This continues until a player is able to find enough numbers in order to complete the announced patter. The first player to find the pattern on their bingo card should immediately shout “bingo!”

There are a variety of bingo patterns. Bingo patterns are either one full line, two lines, or what is known as a full house. Other bingo patterns include the four corners, the center cross, the letters L, T, or Y, the postage stamp, which is a 2x2 pattern in the corner, the inner square, which is a 4x4 pattern, the roving square, which is 3x3, and the roving kite, which is a 3x3 diamond pattern. The inner square, roving square and roving kite, as the name suggests, can be found anywhere on a player's card.

Bingo Terminology and Equipment

Bingo is a fun and social game, with a long history. It is inevitable then, that bingo has it's very own terminology. Here are some terms you should know:

Being Ready

Being ready refers to the status of a bingo player when he or she needs one last number to complete a bingo pattern.

Breaking the Bubble

in the game of bingo, the bubble is the minimum number of balls that are required so that players can complete the bingo pattern. The point of breaking the bubble is the earliest point at which a bingo player can achieve a bingo.

Jumping the gun

this one is straightforward. When a player shouts bingo before they really have a bingo, this is called jumping the gun.

Wild numbers

some bingo games are played with a wild number. This basically refers to a game-play where bingo players start with more than one called number.

Standard

when standard is played, this means that all numbers ending with the second digit of the first called number are valid. So, for example, if a 22 is called, that means that all numbers ending with a 2 are valid called numbers.

Forwards/backwards

when this is played it means that all numbers that either begin or end with the wild number are called. For example, if the first called number is 22, all numbers that either begin or end with a 2 are called.

When it comes to bingo equipment most bingo halls have blowers and flashboards. Bingo blowers are made up of a chamber which stores the balls and from which they are blown so the caller can call the numbers printed on them. The flashboard or master board announces the called number.

Bingo Bets

Betting on bingo games is easy and fun. There are varieties, depending on where you are playing and what the custom is. Most usually, you place a bet on the outcome of each bingo game. For example, you can place a bet that says that the last number called will be higher than the first number called. Or, you can place a bet saying that the last number called will be lower than the first. These are the types of bingo bets, and you can also bet on bingo games via various Internet sites.

Ready to Play Bingo?

If you'd like to try out online bingo, we definitely recommend 888Ladies Bingo (even if you're a guy!). Right now they're running a cool promotion where all new players get a free 10 pounds just for trying out the site. Make sure to sign up through this special link to qualify for the free 10 pounds.