What is Bingo

Introduction

Bingo is a game of probability or a game of chance, being played with randomly drawn numbers or number and letter combinations called by a caller or by a computer.

Each player receives a bingo card divided into 5 rows and 5 columns, with a total of 25 squares. This is the classic bingo, but the number of squares depends, of course, on the type of the game. Each square has a specific number and each bingo card has a unique number combination.

The bingo game starts when the first number is called. Each time a new combination (number or letter and number) is called, the player has to mark it off if the number appears on the card. The aim of the game is to complete a pattern across the bingo card. This pattern depends on the game, but it is usually a combination of 5 in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal pattern).

The winner is the first person who marks off all numbers on the card and calls out “Bingo”.

History of Bingo

Bingo appeared in Italy in the 16th century, originating from the Italian lottery called “Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia”, which was played by most of the population. All the money that people were paying to play this game went to the state budget, so that the government could implement and support public projects.

The second country that introduced a way of bingo was France, where the rich people (the aristocracy or nobility) were the only ones playing. The game was very similar to what we are playing today: all players were receiving a bingo card and a caller was drawing random numbers. The aim was to get a winning pattern.

A very similar game, which was not called bingo, was played in Germany. It was not a game of chance, but an educational tool to teach people multiplication tables, spelling, history and many other subjects.

In the 18th century, the game appeared in other European countries, including the UK. It became very popular in the UK once the game appeared at carnivals in the 1920s.

Online bingo was first played in 1996, when the first online bingo site was launched. Right now, the games are similar to what has been played before, just that they are played online, by anyone who has an account with an online bingo site.