The game of bingo is today being played in many countries due to its rise in popularity since its introduction. This game is today available in many different types and formats to suit different lifestyles of people. Bingo numbers are printed on cards which players buy. These cards vary depending on the country the game is being played.
For example in the US bingo they use the 5 by 5 grid which correspond to all five letters in the word ‘B-I-N-G-O’ while in the Commonwealth bingo which includes the UK and Australia they use the 3 by 9 grid. In both these games the numbers are drawn randomly until a player completes a bingo pattern that is pre determined before the start of the game. In the US bingo the B column represents all numbers between 1 to 15, the I column represents numbers from 16 to 30, the N column represents numbers from 31 to 45 together with the free space, the G column that represents the numbers 46 to 60 as well as the O column that represents numbers from 61 to 75.
There are many unique cards for players to choose from where there are different series namely the 6000 series and the 9000 series. The calling of numbers will however depend on the type of bingo being played as there different types of bingo games and this will include 90-ball bingo, 75-ball bingo, 80-ball bingo, mini ball, pattern, quickie, coverall, Texas blackout, money ball and bonanza. The person who announces the numbers is referred to a caller. It is important to pay full attention to what the caller says at all times. If the caller calls for a number that is in your ticket you are supposed to mark it off immediately. The caller keeps calling out numbers from time to time so it is important for you to concentrate throughout the game. This is important because failure to mark off the called numbers could lead to someone else winning while you could have won earlier.
If all the numbers a player has are called, they are supposed to shout ‘bingo’ where the win will be verified and the prize money given. In some instances however, players will have to split the prize money. Due to the introduction of online bingo, bingo numbers are no longer in the form of balls but in electronic bingo cards. Bingo numbers also have nicknames from the 1st number to the number 90. Some of the most common bingo number nicknames include David Beckham which is for number 7, Valentine ’s Day for number 14, Goodbye teens for number 19, Whinny the Poo for number 42, Snow White’s number for number 50, The Beatles number for number 64 and The French connection for number 69 among others.