How to Play Bingo?

Bingo was first invented in the year 1929 and the game has changed a lot since then. The game has evolved manifolds in terms of the playing rules which are usually stated by the institution organizing the game (in accordance with their laws of gambling).

The Method of Playing Bingo

Bingo is an easy-to-play game where the players are given different sets of numbers printed on several cards made from cardboard or plain paper. There is a host who calls out the numbers at random. If the number exists on a particular card of the player, it is marked off.

Once a player marks a complete row of numbers, he or she calls out “Bingo!” following which the host will check the card before continuing. Whoever marks the whole card wins. Once a winner is found, all the cards are taken off for a new round of play.

What Do The Bingo Cards Look Like?

Bingo cards usually have twenty-five squares (five columns and five rows) and each square has a number. The word “BINGO” is spelled out on the top of the card with each letter of the word at the start of a column.

The numbers present on one particular card are usually those between 1 and 75. However the numbers present are restricted by the columns and the first “B” column can only have numbers between 1 and 15, while the “I” column has numbers between 16 to 30, ‘N’ has numbers between 31 to 45, ‘G’ has 46 through 60, and finally, ‘O’ contains numbers between 61 to 75.

The Bingo Business

This particular game of chance is usually organized by institutions like churches, community centres or charity organizations. Bingo is usually held on a regular (usually weekly) basis by organizations.

The stakes in Bingo are not very high but the final game has a higher reward because it serves as a “cover all” game and the situation created is almost like a progressive jackpot.

Bingo is very popular with the older generation. There can be different requirements for the game, some only have one number to match while some need the whole card to be completed and therefore it is extremely engaging.