BINGO LINGO & FACTS

Bingo is a universally well-known game played by millions. My purpose in this article is to dazzle you with a few little-known facts and toss in some Bingo Lingo for your enjoyment.

• Bingo is the #1 game in the world and a reliable fund-raiser.
• There are 1,474,200 Bingo card possibilities.
• Research has proven that bingo keeps you in peak mental form.

Physical exercise will tone up the body, but bingo players' mental speed, observation skills and memory are enhanced by the game.

Bingo keeps your mind and memory alert while providing an enjoyable social event.

• A game similar to Bingo was utilized as a teaching tool in German schools in order that the children could learn multiplication tables.

BINGO LINGO

Caller: a person who calls out bingo numbers as they tumble from the holder.

Coverall or Blackout: is a winning BINGO that covers all numbers on that particular card.

Dauber: equipped with a foam tip and filled with ink for marking numbers called. Available in fun colors and shapes for players. Daubers are the only acceptable method of marking paper cards in bingo halls.

Free Space: the center square of the bingo card. This freebie is counted if required for a pattern or coverall win.

Game Board: a display board that reflects the bingo balls in play. Can also show the type of game being played currently and jackpots available.

Game Variations: Double Bingo, Triple Bingo, Coverall, Progressives and Hardway. Each has specific rules and is listed in your game program.

Hall Ball: first number drawn at the beginning of the bingo session. If this number is the winning number in any game, a progressive jackpot is won along with the usual award for that particular game.

Hardway Bingo: a win is one line without utilizing the free space. Double Hardway Bingo requires two lines without utilizing the free space.

Jackpot: prize awarded for a particular game or pattern win. Progressive Jackpot: grows until it is won and requires a separate buy-in. These games start with 45 numbers drawn per session and go up one number per week until won. Generally, the first game played per bingo session.

Minimum Buy-In:the least dollar amount required to be eligible for prizes.

Money Ball: a number drawn before the game that doubles your winnings if bingo is called on that number.

Pattern Bingo: is a specified pattern on the bingo card. For example, the letters X, T or H.

Rainbow Pack: assorted package of paper bingo cards that are played for various prize amounts. Blue cards are the least expensive, then red, green and tan pays the top bucks.

Squares: patterns for bingo wins. Outside Square: utilizes B and O row plus top and bottom rows across. Inside Square: is a win around the free space utilizing I, N and G rows.

Validation: after a called bingo to determine players' eligibility for the jackpot award.

Wild Number: can be played for a double bingo. This is determined by the first number out. For example, the first number is G47; therefore, all numbers ending in 7 will qualify as a wild number and should be marked.

WOB: Wild on Bingo. An expression created by the writer to end this glossary and article.

Until next we meet in Cyberspace…

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

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