Let me guess.
When I say ‘Bingo!’, you immediately think of a big hall filled with elderly ladies with grey hair. Nothing going on, no thrill, not your cup of tea.
True, huh?
Perhaps that was true decades ago. Things have changed since then. The average bingo player is getting younger and younger. You don’t need to go out there with your daubers, as the game can be played online from the comfort of your home.
So, why not have a try yourself? Read on and learn everything you want to know about this much loved game. Whether playing in a big hall or playing the online bingo game!
Online bingo game
The online bingo game is easy to learn. As a result, it is a very popular popular casino game. With the transition of bingo from land-based halls to online bingo sites, there has been a shift in the demographics of players as well. A 2018 UK survey clearly indicates a steady increase in the younger segment of bingo players. Millennials made up 17% of bingo players in 2015, with the numbers steadily growing to reach 25% and 2017. The same upward trend is noticeable in the 35-44 age group. Conversely, there has been a decline in the number of elderly players. The biggest difference is among players aged 55+ who were leading in 2015 with 32%, but then became the smallest one in 2017, having decreased to 21%.
In order to understand how to play bingo online and how to win, you need to be familiar with the bingo card and how the numbers on the card are distributed. We’ll share the basics with you, so that you can quickly start playing bingo online.
The so-called ’90 ball bingo’ is the world’s most popular version of bingo. A 90 ball bingo card consists of a grid of 27 squares, made up of nine columns and three rows. Each of the rows on the card contains five numbers and four empty spots. Each column contains a different set of numbers. The first column contains numbers ranging from 1 to 9, the second contains numbers ranging from 10 to 19, and so on.
The numbers 1 – 90 make up the game of 90 ball bingo. A caller calls these numbers out one at a time as they are withdrawn by the bingo system. At every single game, each number may be called out only one time.
Winning patterns
You can win three prizes in each online bingo game. The first prize you play for is 1-line. The first player to cross off all 5 numbers on any horizontal line wins. The player who marks all the numbers in any two lines wins the second prize. The final prize goes to the player to cross off all 15 numbers on their card (known as “bingo” or “full house”).
When you play bingo online, the software will automatically announce the winner.
Many players prefer to buy a strip. A strip is a pack of six bingo tickets, in each strip, all 90 numbers are included. As such, you will mark off a number with every call made in the game. The rules on how many strips you can play with vary from one 90 ball game to another.
In most cases, the cost per ticket and the number of players who opted into the game determine the size of a game’s payout. The higher the ticket price and the more players that join a game will cause the prize to be larger.
Tips for playing the online bingo game
Below some good advice when you are going to play the online bingo game for real money.
Play at the least busy times
Play during off peak times, such as early in the morning, when most people won’t be playing. It will increase your chances of winning considerably.
Buy more bingo cards
Most sites allow you to buy multiple cards, so increase your chances of placing a particular number. However, if you’re fairly new to playing online bingo, it’s better to start with one card.
Know yourself
Only play online bingo when you’re in a good spirit. And always create a bankroll before you begin to play, or set yourself a time limit.
Make new friends
One of the best things about playing online bingo is the chance to join online forums and chat rooms. Joining a bingo community is a great way to get one step up in the game. These communities are made up of many professional bingo players.
Frequently Asked Questions about online bingo
How much money do I need to get started?
You can get started with as much or little as you want. The minimum deposit at most bingo sites is quite low.
Do I have to download any software?
Many sites do require you to download software to access their full suite of games, but there are also a lot of places where you can play games directly through your web browser.
What are bonuses and why do sites offer them?
Bonuses are extra funds put into your account to play with. Most bingo sites offer them to new customers to encourage them to sign up, and to existing customers to reward their loyalty.
Is it safe to deposit money?
Yes, providing you play at reputable sites.
Do I really stand a chance of winning?
Yes, you just need to get lucky. Bingo is a game of pure chance, so there’s no skill or strategy involved. The winners are determined at random by the numbers that are called.
The history of bingo
The game was born in Italy back in 1530, originating from the traditional lottery game “Il Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia” (“The Clearance of the Lot of Italy” in English). From there it moved to France in the late 1700s where its name evolved to “Le Lotto”.
Traditionally played by French aristocracy, “Le Lotto” had changed as it travelled across Europe. The new version featured 27 squares, laid out in three rows and nine columns. Numbers from 1-90 were randomly arranged in the boxes.
The game travelled to North America in the 1920s, where its name evolved to “Beano”. Players used to shout this word when they found all numbers in a row. One day, American Edwin Lowe came across a crowd of people playing a game called ‘’Beano’’ on a fair in Georgia. The pitchman told Lowe that he had come across the game being played at fairs in Germany. Pulling numbered wooden disks out of a cigar box and calling them aloud, players tried to see if the number appeared on their card. If it was there, they’d place a bean on the number. The end of the game came when a player filled an entire line with beans and shouted “Beano!”. When Lowe returned home to New York, he set about making his own version of the game.
It’s said that once a player was so excited and enthusiastic that he’d won, he cried “Bingo” instead of “Beano.” The name stuck. By the 1940s, people were playing bingo across the whole country.
With over 100 million people playing bingo around the world, it seems as if the game is here to stay.
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