Bingo! The Game of Numbers Played with Luck

There was a popular lottery game played before Bingo as we know it today, it was called Lo Giuco di Lotto d’Italia. It was believed to be the ancestor of the Bingo game. The lottery can be traced back in 16th century as it was the time when the game speedily spread over Europe and became an overnight gambling sensation for most of the gambling houses due to its simplicity and non-complex rules when it comes to numbers and winnings.

However, popular as it is now, the name “Bingo” is a misnomer of “Beano”. Originally, the game Beano was the most popular number game in 1929 as observed by a salesman. In the excitement of the player who has won, he or she will exclaim the name “Beano” to signal his/her victory. The salesman introduced the game to his friends. But, there was one player who has shouted the word “Bingo” instead of the name Beano. Such was the start of the new game!

Bingo can be played using a card with numbers on it; the card is sold and each player should buy one or as many as they want to be able to play the lottery-like game. The upper portion of the card shows the letters B-I-N-G-O with corresponding numbers underneath each letter. British bingo uses numbers from 0-90 while American bingo has 0-75.

A player can win if he/she can form a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line of numbers which are randomly drawn by the dealer every game. If one can have either line of numbers, he/she must shout out loud the word “BINGO” to alert others that he/she has won. The numbers will be validated and price will be awarded; it could be in cash or in kind. The good thing about this game is that the players can convene about the price.

Obviously, this is a game of luck! Numbers play the important role in making the game successful and full of fun.