Bingo is one of the most exciting number-matching games. You’ll find people thronging to local bingo halls with families every weekend. So what makes this simple yet fun game of chance such a hit? It’s not just the thrill of shouting “Bingo” that attracts players. It’s also easily accessible – both online and offline. Online platforms use chat rooms with moderators, where players can interact with each other and turn it into a social activity.
The game has an interesting history and is believed to have originated during the time of the Romans. The game spread to Europe in the 16th century and is popular in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
In this article, we’ll discuss the minute details of Bingo and how to play the game.
What is Bingo? An Overview
Although Bingo is very popular, it is very simple. The game can be played by any number of players. Each player is provided with a 5×5 card containing five vertical columns and five side-to-side rows. The five columns are marked with ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’, and ‘O’.
The centre space in the card is left empty and is called free space. The remaining spaces are filled with numbers ranging from 1 to 75. These numbers are not randomly marked on the face of the cards but have a set pattern.
The B column is home to numbers from 1 to 15, the I column has numbers from 16 to 30, the N column features numbers from 31 to 45, the G column holds numbers from 46 to 60, and the O column is filled with numbers from 61 to 75
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Play Bingo
The above overview section clearly explains what a typical bingo card looks like. You might have also understood the combinations of letters and numbers on your card. You can find these cards online or at a store.
Now, it’s time to understand how you play bingo. But, before moving forward, you need to decide who will be the caller for your game of bingo. Sounds confusing? Well, the caller is a person who randomly picks letter-number combinations and announces them to the players.
The caller can also participate in the game. Choose your caller carefully – if they know the funny Bingo calls, that’s even better! If you’re at a bingo hall, a fun place where people gather to play bingo, the caller is already chosen and can’t join the game. If you are playing online, the website becomes the host.
The game of bingo is all about listening and acting. Your entire focus during the game should be to stay alert to the numbers being called. The caller will pull a letter-number combination (like “B-9”) from a bowl or spinner and call it out loud. If you have that letter number on your card, place a chip on that square, or cross it out. If you don’t have it, just wait for the next call!
The goal in the game of bingo is to cover five squares in a row—this can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Once you get these five in a row, you need to shout “Bingo” to let everyone know you’ve won. The caller will then check your card to confirm your win.
Sounds fun? Well, we told you bingo is one of the most entertaining games out there and you would have understood how does bingo work. It is mostly about luck, but you can improve your chances by playing with more cards.
Bingo Rules and Regulations Explained
The rules of bingo are pretty simple, and we hope you have already understood them. However, let’s refresh your understanding and give you a 101 guide to bingo rules and regulations.
The first and most important rule of bingo is that you need a fresh card online or offline for every game. Cards cannot be repeated. When the game finishes, all the cards become void, and players need to start with fresh cards.
Next, you should be attentive to the caller, so you can mark off that number and move ahead in the game. In offline games, the numbers are called only once, so if you miss it, you stand to lose. In online games, however, the called numbers are displayed in a separate column so you can verify. However, the game moves fast, so it is better to be attentive and not miss the numbers.
You win when the word “BINGO” gets spelled out – horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Secondly, you can win the game by marking off all four corners of your card. Next, you can call your shots if you have daubed two complete lines. Lastly, if you have marked off all the numbers on your card, you are already the winner.
How to Play Online Bingo
Are you planning to show off your newly learned bingo skills to your friends and family? You don’t need to be with them physically. Just invite them over to play online bingo with you and start winning.
You can play bingo on various online platforms available on the internet. You can enjoy the game of bingo virtually on a Zoom call or Google Meet. Go to 7bet’s casino lobby and search for the Bingo lounge. Note that all players would need to make an account with 7bet and deposit the minimum amount to access the game. The players should be UK residents and must be at least 18 years or older.
Differences Between American Bingo and UK Bingo
The American bingo features a 5×5 card where players aim to complete lines in various patterns, including horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. On the other hand, British bingo is played on a 3×9 card, where players mark off numbers in three horizontal lines to win.
The American bingo uses numbers 1 to 75, while the UK bingo uses numbers from 1 to 90, and each column has a specific range of numbers. For example, the first column has numbers 1 to 10, the second has 11 to 20, and so on. There are only three ways to win a UK bingo game: complete one line, complete two lines, or get a “full house” by marking off all the numbers on your card.
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