Getting to Know The Basics of Bingo

Bingo is a game of luck and chance. It has increased in popularity since its origin in the early 1900’s. It began as a simple game played on an individual card where a line of numbers had to be called and marked to determine a winner. Since its creation it has developed into numerous variations and there are game versions that require any possible pattern to no pattern at all.

Bingo is traditionally played on a card with a five by five matrix of numbers. The five columns are marked by the letters: B, I, N, G, and O. The very center box of the card is usually deemed a free space to get everyone started with at least one marker on their board. All the possible numbers are combined either electronically or in a container of some type and drawn randomly. The point of the game is to be the first to complete the designated pattern and declare BINGO. A suspected winner will call out the word BINGO to signify their completion of the pattern and after the caller verifies the card the game is over.

The common patterns to win in this game are any string of five numbers. This can happen throughout a column, row, or diagonally. There are also games that require four corners, the complete border, just one side, or a black-out of the entire card. The ways in which a pattern can be designated is nearly endless as the caller has the ability to make the winner cover every spot or just one spot if they desire.

Bingo is a game of chance because the numbers are randomly drawn. It is very exciting and often is a way to gamble a little bit of money but even if you don’t win you can say you had fun playing the game. This game is available in casinos as well as specialized bingo halls. Many senior organizations and churches have their own bingo night. Sometimes the proceeds from the game will go directly to the winner as incentive to play and other times it is a fun activity to donate to a cause or organization.

The game of bingo can be played many different ways. Aside from the many pattern possibilities there can also be differences in the number of cards allowed in play. Traditionally each player is allowed one card randomly chosen by them or for them by the caller. In some games you can have multiple cards to increase your chances. This makes the game more difficult as the amount of time between calling numbers will be the same and it may take time to check all your cards between calls. Although your odds are increased the player usually has to pay to play for each individual card. You take a little more financial risk but your odds are increased as well. Bingo is a fun and exciting game to play whether you are at a casino gambling or playing for fun with the family.