Bingo is a timeless gaming classic, one that’s been around for literally centuries. It’s a game that’s played around the world, in physical Bingo halls and online rooms, and across different generations of adult players.
Thanks to a simple core and engaging gameplay, Bingo has proved itself as one of the most popular gaming choices. It’s particularly benefitted from the move online, with thousands logging on for daily free Bingo games.
But, if you’re still wondering what it is that makes this game so enduring, read on for a quick introduction to the game we know as Bingo.
The origins of Bingo
The best place to start is with an overview of just where Bingo comes from. Most sources agree that the game can trace its origins back to 16th century Italy, taking inspiration from their weekly Lotto game.
From Italy, the number-matching game made its way to France, where the core gameplay we recognise started to take shape. It was the French who added player cards to the mix and made it so that the winner needed to match the set of numbers written on their card, rather than just one.
Bingo didn’t become Bingo in name until it reached the US. After getting its start as Beano, the game was repackaged and sold commercially by New York toymaker Edwin S Lowe. It was Lowe who trademarked the name Bingo, which caught on around the world.
How do you play Bingo?
It’s quite simple, all players have to do is mark off numbers on their Bingo card as they’re randomly selected and called out. The format of the card and how players complete it varies depending on which version of Bingo they’re playing.
No matter the version, the goal is to be the first one to match all the numbers on your card to claim a full house or Bingo. That’s all there is to it!
Varying Bingo formats
As we said, there’s more than one version of Bingo out there. The main thing that sets different Bingo games apart is the number of balls in play.
From 90 ball to 75 ball or even 30 ball, a higher or lower number count has a big impact on gameplay. Many online players favour the speed of 30 ball Bingo games, which can be played a lot quicker than the more traditional 90 ball format.
But it isn’t just the ball count that changes between Bingo games. Varying up the format of the Bingo cards and the potential ways to win is another way to set one version apart from another.
In a 90 ball Bingo game, players need to complete horizontal lines on a 9×3 card, with the winner being the first to fill out all three. This contrasts with the 75 ball version and its 5×5 card, which lets players complete lines horizontally, vertically or diagonally – whichever they can match first!
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Thanks to a variety of formats and simple basic rules, Bingo is a game that can easily stand the test of time. It’s no surprise that it continues to draw in players!
