BIUNGO HISTORY & WHIMSY

Like many of the casino games today, bingo’s history can be traced back to Europe.

Italy, specifically, has recorded the game’s origins in the 1500’s.

The French added a deck of cards in the late 1700’s and the name lotto.

British military bestowed the name house or housy-housy on this form of gambling in the 19th century.

At about the same time, a form of bingo called kino or keno was making its way into the American culture.

The Great Depression saw a surge in the game of bingo or screeno as it was known when played in movie houses.

Moviegoers received bingo cards for the price of admission vying for cash prizes.

Of course, the game of keno has evolved today as a popular casino game and is played much the same as bingo.

Other variations of the American game are fortune, lucky, radio and beano.

Beano appeared destined to be the name that stuck, but in 1929, a salesman from New York observed the game at a local carnival. While playing with his friends, a slip of the tongue from a startled winner resulted in the name BINGO.

The popularity of Bingo has reached epic status as the game is now played around the world and enthusiastically online.

As a gaming writer, I recommend this low-cost form of gambling as a good bet.

BINGO WHIMSY

Superstitions abound in the game of bingo. I list some below with a bit of trivia thrown in.

• Players have a lucky bingo seat.
• Players have lucky numbers.
• Players have a lucky day and time for a bingo session.
• Players have lucky charms, shoes, shirts and ties.
• Lucky charms include rabbit’s foot, elephants, teddy bears, frogs, monkeys and gemstones.
• Pictures of loved ones, particularly grandchildren, are on display at that lucky seat.
• Players purchase daubers in their lucky color and/or in the shape of their lucky charms.
• Players don’t leave money on the table. It’s bad luck.
• Circle around your chair three times to ward off bad luck.

More bingo trivia.

• Bing Crosby was known as Bingo as a child.
• Screeno, a form of bingo, was played in movie theaters during the depression.
• The casino game of keno is based on bingo.
• Most bingo gamers also like to play slot machines.
• The majority of bingo players have a pet, most notably cats.

Bingo Etiquette -- the Do’s and Don’ts of the Game.

• Do relish every win with a loud and clear BINGO!
• Do choose some favorite numbers.
• Do relish the win of the moment.
• Don’t brag about your winnings.
• Don’t whine about your losses.
• Don’t take a fellow player’s lucky seat.
• Don’t blame the caller. They are just the messenger.

Until, we meet again in cyberspace, I’m listening for that BINGO cry!

Gayle Mitchell is the author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, EBooks, booklets & Slots Trilogy.

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