Bingooriginated from the lottery and was first developed in France. The Germans later adopted the game and tweaked it to be more like we know it today. In the late 1920s, the game of “Beano” came to the US, where its name eventually was changed to “Bingo.” By the 1940s, bingo became very popular throughout the US.
Today, the game of bingo is played differently throughout the world, and depending on where it is played, the idea of bingo may conjure up different images for people in different parts of the world. In some regions, bingo is a very trendy and popular social activity that is played by all age groups. In other places, it is a game that is stereotyped for senior adults only. Other people may associate bingo with church. Slowly, though, this is changing as more and more people are taking to Internet bingo, which continues to grow dramatically. The online version of bingo serves to redefine the game, universally, as it becomes a beloved game to more and more avid players.
While Internet bingo sites generally offer basic bingo, there are two types of bingo you should be familiar with before you select an online bingo game. Both of these types of bingo are played prominently throughout the world and online. The North American version of bingo is a 75-ball game played with a standard 5 X 5 card containing 25 squares (the center square is typically a free space). In other places though, such as the UK and other regions throughout Europe, Australia, and areas of South America, bingo is a 90-ball game played on a 9 X 3 bingo card.
While bingo is typically only played in one of the two described versions, what does vary quite frequently from game to game though, are the cover patterns that are required to win the games. As numbers are called, players must mark their cards accordingly. Once they have made the required pattern on one of their bingo cards, they can then call “Bingo!” Patterns can range from simple straight lines to more complex patterns like an “X” or a smiley face. Multiple-card bingo games sometimes even require that a three-letter word be spelled out across the player’s cards to win (e.g. “M-O-M”). These patterns enhance the game and prevent monotony in the online bingo rooms. Large jackpots usually require a winning player to cover the entire bingo card, referred to as a “coverall.” You can also find progressive jackpot bingo online, which is another way to change up your online bingo play.
No matter what mood you are in, playing online bingo will always serve to improve your attitude and relieve some of the daily stress that life brings. Having fun is what bingo is all about; in fact, most online bingo players don’t play to win money, they play for the entertainment value that online bingo provides.
