Bingo’s come a long, long way since its earliest days in 16th century Italy when it was a game used to raise taxes for the government, just like many lotteries today.
It was in the 1930s in America that the game we play today was born when a travelling salesman by the name of Edwin Lowe came across Beano being played at the state fairs he visited as part of his work.
In this game beans were placed over the numbers on cards as they were called out. When a card was completed, the winner called out “Beano”. Changing the name to a more catchy Bingo, Lowe transformed the game into the one millions love to play today.
Its heyday for play in bingo halls came in the 1950s and 60s after which its popularity waned, but the arrival of online bingo sites in the 1990s saw a huge resurgence of interest in the game.
The earliest sites were very basic but as time has gone on more sophisticated versions of the game have been introduced and there have also been many moves designed to more closely recreate the social aspect of bingo that was so important in the halls of old.
To really enjoy and get the most of playing online there are a few steps to take – and here are some to get you started.
Explore different bingo sites to find the best features that suit your playing style
There’s a lot of competition amongst different online bingo sites to attract new players. “One of the main ways that they do this is by offering promotions. Always check the terms and conditions associated with these offers to ensure you understand them fully. So it really does pay to shop around if you want to get your bingo playing off to a flying start.
Enjoy playing bingo at times that fit your schedule
Another great thing about online bingo sites is that they’re there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that playing can fit in with your schedule, not the other way around. If you prefer a quieter experience, you might choose to play at times when fewer people are online. This obviously gives you a slightly better chance of being the first person to complete a card and scoop up the winnings.
Choose which games to play
Standard bingo games use either 75 or 90 balls with 75 ball games being a little quicker to play. But the great thing about online bingo is that there are lots of different variations to try out. One that has become more and more popular is Slingo, a unique variation of bingo with additional features. The numbers are delivered by spinning reels and there are quite a few bonus features too like free spins and prize multipliers.
Make yourself comfortable
To really make the most of your bingo-playing experience make sure that you won’t be feeling rushed to get through a game. Ensure you’re comfortable and have set a time limit for your gaming session. Maybe also set yourself a time limit that you’re going to play for and when it’s up log off until the next time you want to play.
Playing with multiple cards is an option, but it’s important to set limits and play responsibly
Most online bingo sites let you play with multiple cards. This will mean there may be a better chance of you having a winning one for each game. Don’t be put off by the thought that it will be hard to keep up with all of the cards. Another great feature of online bingo is that they’re marked off for you automatically so you’ll never miss out on a potential win.
Get into the chatroom
Online bingo sites are surprisingly social places. Maybe not quite the same as the old halls, but they do mostly have chatrooms where you can chat to the other players who are online. Whether you’re letting others know how your day’s going or congratulating people on their wins it makes for a great and supportive community to participate in.
Remember, bingo is a game of chance, so enjoy the experience without focusing on strategies
The final piece of advice is to ignore the sorts of bingo strategies like the one’s called Granville’s and Tippett’s that you might come across online. This really is a game in which the balls are picked by a clever algorithm called a random number generator. This recreates the way that a traditional caller pulls out the numbered balls.
There you have them. Seven solid tips to make your online bingo experience a good one. So virtual dabber at the ready, cup of tea and biscuits to hand – and it’s eyes down and get ready to play.
