Learn How to Play Online Bingo
If you're from the UK or Ireland, you will almost certainly know what bingo is. What most people don't know is that this insanely popular game originally comes from Italy and has been played there since the 16th century. Its addictive nature soon crossed borders into neighboring France and then on into the UK and Ireland.
Although born in the Mediterranean, it was in the rain-swept Northern islands that the quirky game found its true home. From its introduction into Britain in the 18th century, it took off like wildfire and continues to delight British and Irish players to the present day.
Why is Bingo so Popular?
One huge attraction of bingo is that virtually anyone can learn the rules in minutes. With a bit of luck, they can then go on to become winners in no time. Another benefit is that despite its simplicity, you can vastly improve your game over time with a little dedication.
The best competitors can play more than one card at a time and spot prize-winning patterns well in advance of newcomers. Once you gain the ability to do this and start to see your skills improve, you’ll be hooked.
Bingo Goes Viral in the UK
One man in particular saw the potential of this new era. The entrepreneur Eric Morley was a big name in the world of British dance halls. These venues were extremely popular in sixties Britain and the shrewd businessman increased revenues from his halls by allowing them to be used as bingo halls during the day.
It proved to be a very smart business move and took bingo from the community and church halls of small towns into city and town centers all over the UK. Players were attracted from all over the country to come into town for a night of dancing, cinema, and bingo, sometimes all in the same venue.
Bingo became more than just a hunt for lines of numbers on a page. It was a way to make money, meet new people, and have fun at the same time.
Fast forward to the video age and it was an easy matter to transfer this very ‘digital’ pastime onto a screen. It was possible to offer video bingo in the same halls alongside traditional card and pencil versions.
How to Play Bingo: The Basics
Whether it's on a card, a monitor, or your computer screen, the rules are exactly the same, making it simple for anyone to move between the formats with just a little adjustment in their approach.
All you need to do is match the randomly chosen numbers to those on your bingo card, be it virtual or on a table in front of you. There are then eight basic ways to win, increasing your chances but also requiring you to keep your wits about you.
The Eight Most Popular Ways to Win at Bingo
• Mark all four corners
• Form a diagonal line
• Mark any five numbers in a row
• Make a blackout
• Make an inside diamond
• Make an outside diamond
• Mark the inside corners
• Full house
Individual games and halls will have variations, but these are the basic formations.
Pro Tips for Online Bingo Success
Whether you are new to the game or a seasoned pro, here are some top tips to keep in mind.
The Top 5 Ways to Win at Online Bingo
1. Pick your site carefully. Just like anything else online that involves money or gambling, you need to be cautious. Don't go straight for the first one that promises big, easy-to-win cash prizes. Check that the sites you use are licensed to operate in your jurisdiction. Use a comparison site or a consumer review site to see what others are saying.
2. Think about when you play. In most online games, the jackpot will increase with the total number of players, but so will the level of competition. If you are new then try to avoid peak gaming times such as evenings and weekends. Put the odds in your favor until you get up to speed.
3. Take time to learn the site's unique features. Each bingo site is different and the range of features may not be immediately obvious. Try to find a site that offers an auto-dab feature. This will check off numbers on multiple cards at once so that you never lose out.
4. Watch out for deals and special offers. Bingo sites are always competing to sign up new players. Stay on the alert for sign-up/deposit bonuses, seasonal and special occasion incentives, referral offers, and loyalty perks.
5. Reach out to the online community. There are many groups, forums, Facebook pages, and other supports that will provide you with a rich source of advice, gaming tips, and the latest news about offers and deals.
There was a time when bingo was associated with retirement homes and church halls, but those days are long gone. If you are looking to meet people, stay sharp, have a little fun, and maybe earn a prize or two, online bingo is the perfect place to start.
