Bingo

What has roots in Italy, was played by French aristocrats and was used for education in Germany? Bingo!

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Bingo's history begins in 16th-century Italy as a state lottery called Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia, later reaching 18th-century France, where it was played by the aristocracy (what a surprise, right?). By the 19th century the Germans had adapted the format as an educational tool for teaching children multiplication and spelling. Honestly, every possible stereotype gets ticked here, from strange aristocratic pastimes in France to the Germans mysteriously managing to make everything educational. The game took its modern shape in 1929, when American toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe spotted a carnival version called "Beano", which used dried beans as markers; after one excited winner accidentally shouted "Bingo!", Lowe popularised the new name and hired a mathematician to create thousands of unique card combinations. This standardised version became a massive social phenomenon in the USA during the Great Depression and remains popular entertainment to this day.

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How do you play bingo?

The short answer is - very simply.
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You need to complete a specific winning pattern (a line, a square, a full card) on your Bingo card before any other player does. In the gambling format you collect numbers, but you've surely played bingo at least once in your life with politicians' quotes, Olympic Games moments and the like - there's plenty of room for imagination here.

How does the game work?

Forget pencils and paper - online everything is fast and digital. Let's go through it step by step.

Buying cards

First you pick a game room (depending on how many numbers are in the drums - 75, 80 or 90 ball Bingo) and buy your Bingo card (or several). Each card has a unique grid of numbers. The more cards, the more chances to win.

The number draw

The game begins! The computer (or the "Caller" - Caller) starts calling out (drawing) numbers automatically. Casino bingo comes both in a fully digital, automated format and as a live TV-style show. And we've all seen super bingo, no need to pretend.

Marking (Daubing)

As soon as a number on your card is called, you mark it.

The online magic: Online, you don't have to do a thing! The system marks everything automatically (it's called Auto Daub), so you never miss a lucky number. You can happily chat with other players or sip your coffee.

BINGO and the win

The first player to complete the required winning pattern (for example, five numbers in one horizontal line or a "Full House" - every number on the card) WINS! The prize is usually split evenly among everyone who called "Bingo" in that same second. And no, you won't have to physically yell at your computer - in most games the winners are determined automatically. In some games you may need to press the bingo button manually, but in most cases, regardless of the exact millisecond you press it, the winner is still decided automatically. Perhaps a letdown - or perhaps just as well, in case your internet connection isn't the greatest.

Why is bingo so popular?

Pure entertainment: No tables or odds to study. Buy a card and cross your fingers like there's no tomorrow.

The social element: Online Bingo rooms usually have lively chat rooms where you can talk to other players, and since there's nothing you need to do yourself, bingo becomes socialising with a chance to win.

Jackpots: Just like slots, many Bingo games offer progressive jackpots if you complete a "Full House" very quickly (with a small number of balls drawn).

In short: Bingo is a simple, fun and very social way to pass the time. Grab a card, and good luck in the draw!