Bingo is a simple game with very simple rules. Like all games there are some differences between playing in a club and playing online, which I’ll explain later, but the basics are pretty much the same wherever you are.
To play Bingo you need 2 things. Bingo tickets and a Bingo Caller.
A single Bingo ticket has 3 rows and 9 columns. In each row there are 5 numbers, giving a total of 15 numbers. There are never duplicate numbers on a ticket. Tickets are usually sold in batches of 6 - giving 90 numbers in total. Again there are never duplicates in a batch of 6 meaning that you have every number between 1 and 90.
The Bingo Caller randomly calls the numbers between 1 and 90 and the object of the game is to get a single line (an entire row of numbers), a double line (2 lines of numbers on the same ticket) or a full house (all 15 numbers on a ticket called). Unfortunately everyone else is doing the same so it is whoever gets it first that wins! All three prizes can be won by different people - it’s all down to the luck of the draw.
Finding 1 number out of 90 on a random ticket to mark it off sounds daunting, but it isn’t. The numbers, although randomly spread across the tickets, are actually quite organised. Each column from left to right only contains one of ten numbers. Therefore the first column has 1 to 10, the second has 11-20 and so on until the far right column has 81-90. If you remember I said you have every number between 1 and 90 so if you hear or see the number 32 then it will be in the 3rd column somewhere. Practice makes it even easier. It isn’t unusual to see Bingo veterans marking the numbers upside down or with different pens each number just to make it more of a challenge.This is where online and Bingo hall Bingo differ. Online you can often choose to mark off the numbers yourself with the mouse or the computer can do it for you. When you have a win it will let you and everyone else know. In a Bingo hall, however, you must use a pen to mark off the numbers yourself. If you think you have a win you must attract the attention of the caller to stop the game. If he begins to say the next number then you are too late. You must be alert and, most importantly, you must be LOUD!! Shout “House!”, “Bingo!”, “Here!” or “Wheeeeee!!!!” if you like, just as long as you are heard. Once stopped, a member off staff will come along and check your numbers and come back in a moment with your winnings.
A lot of people write Bingo off as being a dull past-time for old biddies but they are always surprised by the adrenaline rush you get when waiting on one number to win a big prize.
Both online and traditional Bingo have special games with different rules. For example, in Bingo Halls there is the National Game. This is for a full-house only and the winner from each club gets put forward - that very night - for a big cash prize which is in the hundreds of thousands. The person who won in the lowest number of calls wins the jackpot. I’ve personally seen a young woman win £119,000 in one night in Scotland. She nearly fainted! There are other variations such as Mini-Bingo, which goes by many names, which is more like traditional seaside Bingo with counters or shutters on colourful boards which is usually for smaller prizes but much, much quicker. Whether you play online, in a Bingo Hall or at home, Bingo can be fun and great competition. Just try not to swear when you shout out!
