When we think of Bingo, we probably imagine the old-style Bingo halls, where people would go with their friends for a night out and the possibility of winning some money. For us, especially in the UK, bingo halls were prevalent in most towns and cities from the 1960’s, but the origins of the game are centuries old, played across Europe and taken to the USA with the immigrants, much like other games such as poker and blackjack.
Why is bingo so popular though? Well, it is a simple game to learn, easy to play, and individual games do not take very long to play.
All you need to do is be the first person to get all the numbers on your card, and you’ve won! Games do have certain nuances, and with the growth of online bingo you can find multiple variations and themes, so there is something for everyone.
How to Play Bingo
If you have never picked up a bingo card but you want to play Bingo online with JackpotJoy, you might be interested in knowing a little bit more about the game.
Firstly, the balls. There are 90 balls in the UK game, but our American friends usually play a 75-ball version. The balls are selected at random – wither using a physical bingo machine (if you are playing in a live venue), or a random number generator. The caller is the person who is responsible for sharing the number on each ball as it is selected.
As a player, you will have a bingo ticket, often referred to as a ‘card’. This will have numbers printed on it, usually in a grid of 9 x 3, with 15 or so numbers shown. As the caller reveals the balls, you mark off the numbers that are on your card, until you have got them all – and that’s when you would shout ‘Bingo!’ or ‘Full House’.
In an online game, the computer will usually mark your numbers off for you as they come out, which makes it easier to play with multiple tickets.
You can win in Bingo by being the first to achieve:
- A line
- Two lines
- Full house (all the numbers)
- A match to a predetermined pattern (usually found in 75-ball bingo).
Why Play Bingo?
No special skills needed.
This is one of the best things about bingo, that sets it apart from almost all other forms of casino gaminga – it really is all down to luck as the numbers coming out are completely random.
Games like poker and blackjack, on the other hand, rely not only on the turn of the card but on skills and strategies, so it is not as easy for a complete beginner (or even a seasoned professional) to win the big one.
Bingo, on the other hand, is accessible for everyone – even more so now that it is available online and can be played almost anywhere.
Excitement and Adrenaline
There is nothing more exciting than the risk of casino gaming, and the adrenaline rush as you wait for your numbers to come up when you are playing Bingo.
People come back again and again because this is a form of entertainment that provides fun and excitement, but also the chance to win some big financial prizes.
Social
Whether you are playing in a physical venue or online, you can chat to other players – and that makes Bingo a social form of gaming.
Whilst vying for that elusive Full House, you could develop new friendships and create a community that can help you feel less lonely (even online).
Cognitive Improvement
There is a reason that Bingo is a game associated with our elders – and that isn’t because only old people play it. It’s a cliché for a reason, and there have been numerous studies done around games like Bingo and the positive effects of playing games.
In fact, Bingo is accredited with multiple health benefits that include cognitive skill improvement – perfect for the elderly.
To play Bingo, you need:
- Listening Skills: You need to hear the numbers as they are called out to mark them off the card.
- Memory: Memory skills are needed not only to remember how to play the game, but also to remember the numbers when they are called.
- Alertness: Staying alert and present in the game is an important part of not missing anything.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Even if you are just marking off your card using a dabber, you need to be precise with your movements, which means conquering trembling or spatial awareness issues.
- Socialising: The fun of the game translates across generations, and for older people a game of bingo represents both fun and excitement as well as the opportunity to spend time with others, laughing and joking.
Bingo is a game that can have many benefits for everyone, even more than just the obvious fun, excitement, and adrenaline (and the opportunity to win some cash, too).
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