The Bingo Saga

Bingo has a rich and wonderful history. We can trace back the history of bingo since 14th century to the simple bean-placing game of the early 1900s. The evolution of UK Bingo from the past to what we have now is also interesting.

Bingo was originally called "Beano" because once a player won, he or she would yell "Beano"! It was usually played at county fairs with a caller drawing numbered discs from a cigar box, and players would mark their cards with beans to mark the numbers that were called out. If you win, just shout “Beano”!

A recorded history of the game of bingo dates back to 14th Century Italy. In 1530, there was an Italian lottery called "Lo Giuocu del Lotto D'Italia" it still exists up to now every Saturday. From Italy, the game travelled to France in the late 1770s, where it was called "Le Lotto", a game played amongst wealthy Frenchmen. Eventually Bingo reached Germany, ironically children there played it for educational purposes. It was mostly for the purpose of helping students learn math, spelling and history.

In 1929 game of bingo finally reached North America. This is the time that the game became popularly known as "Beano." It was first played at a carnival near Atlanta, Georgia. So where did the name "Bingo" came from? By accident, New York toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe renamed it so, after he overheard someone accidentally yell "Bingo!" instead of "Beano!" at a county fair. So, from Beano now it is known as Bingo.

Edwin Lowe together with Carl Leffler then did some changes and developed the game. They expanded the bingo game styles. Edwin hired Carl Leffler, a Columbia University Math professor, to help him increase the number of combinations in bingo cards. They had successfully diversified the game so that by 1930 there were over 6000 different bingo cards!

Bingo became a popular fundraising medium when a Catholic priest from Pennsylvania approached Lowe about using bingo as a means of raising church funds. Because of that it became more popular that by 1934, an estimated 10,000 bingo games were played weekly.

Today, after 70 years the game of bingo is more popular than ever and even transcended to Online Bingo.

Bingo Games Around the World

The bingo played around the world has 2 major variation. divided into 2 major games.

1. The variation of bingo played in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.


2. And the bingo typically played in the US and Canada.
   

These Online Bingo games are similar in many ways, but differ slightly in the cards they use and in the calling of numbers.

In the UK, a 90-ball version of bingo is popular. In the US and Canada, most players use a 75-ball version of the game.

Outside the UK, the many nicknames we usually hear for bingo numbers are hardly ever used, especially not some of the nicknames that come from Cockney rhyming slang.

In Australia and New Zealand, bingo is known as “housie”. So, instead of playing at a bingo hall, you can play the game at a housie hall.

But still, some of the UK bingo nicknames have spread to the four corners of the world and can be heard in bingo halls everywhere. All in all, despite the evolution of Bingo, the basic elements have remained the same.

Basic Format of Bingo

Every player should have a unique card. Player can buy as many bingo cards he can play. The player can also participate in any bingo patters. To increase your chances of playing, usually players have several cards, since you are already there why not maximize the time and chances by having as many cards.

You can see that each bingo card is marked with a grid that divides it into blocks of number combinations. At the centre is a free space – without any number just a blank space or any words/pictures they like to put. The numbers in the centre of the grid correspond to the letters ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’ and ‘O’ at the top of the card.

Before the game starts, a bingo pattern is announced. This is the pattern you need to form by covering called numbers on your card. Random numbers are drawn and called. Whoever forms the pattern first should shout Bingo!

Bingo is a game of chance, so everyone who plays has an equal chance of winning. In playing the game, it is important to be attentive and alert because in all world bingo games, you won’t get a prize if you’re late in calling out “bingo!” If you do shout after the next number has already been called, it’s already too late.

Winning UK Bingo patterns differ from game to game. We have the popular black-out or full house where you all numbers in your card should be marked. Other common combinations are lines, two lines or diagonal.

Patterns in Bingo

Bingo patterns are designated into 3 basic types:

1. The Standard or Static bingo patterns – patterns which are not allowed to be shifted anywhere in the card.


2. The Wild bingo patterns – patterns which are mostly scattered on the card. Although these patterns can be placed anywhere in the card, they still stay in the same place or is static.


3. The Crazy bingo patterns – patterns which are allowed to be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by increments of 90 degrees. Winning bingo patterns are matched by 90°, 180° or 270°.
   

Below are examples of popular bingo patterns used:

Proper Bingo Decorum

There are always rules in every game. For regular UK Bingo halls, it is very essential to be silent when the numbers are being picked and called, as well as listening to a winner declaring a “Bingo!”. Showing the proper manners in playing Bingo online is also as important as winning, so take note of the following chat room tips:

1. Since a chat room supervisor is always present to mediate, make sure to always behave when in the chat room. Do not use words that may offend or verbally harass other online players. Be decent.
   

2. Do not impersonate other players by using a false name or endorsing products in the chat room.
   

3. For complaints about other players that you want to inform the site, use their email route which is always available for you.
   

4. Be a good sport. Wish others a good luck for the game or congratulate someone if they won. This might bring good luck for you too.
   

A positive attitude always creates positive results!

Bonuses in Bingo Online

The following can give you an idea of what bonuses you can get from playing online bingo:

1. If you recommend a friend to the site, you get a free game in exchange. Or as an example, on Thursday as a free day, you may get one free game for every game you pay.
   

2. Entering a name to be drawn for a chance to win a prize; a bottle of champagne, for example, or other great prizes.
   

3. Bonuses like the “signing up” or the “regular player” bonuses. The site matches the amount you put in to play to double it. For example, you put in 50 to play and the site matches that with another 50 to give you a credit of a 100. Also known as 100% match bonus.
   

4. The match bonus mentioned has conditions though. Before withdrawing the total amount you gained, you have to play a certain number of games. This condition is applied to prevent players from depositing their 50 and immediately withdrawing out the 100. Something which other players are doing, which most sites think as a total abuse.
   

5. Earn loyalty bonuses. Bonuses which are given to loyal patrons of the site which is advantageous to those who are already satisfied with the site they’re playing. To simply put in, you get free money by just being loyal to the site. This loyalty bonus is also called “comps” or “fidelity points”.
   

6. Special bonuses offered by the site on special days like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Midsummer’s Day, Bank Holidays, Christmas, New Year and special events like the World Cup Finals. So check out your favorite bingo sites often if they offer bonuses like these.