"Bingo Rules!" The Basics of the Game

Playing the game of Bingo is about as easy as spelling out its name. For those who are just about to enter the Bingo experience, here are the basic rules on how to play this exciting and wholesome game of chance.

In order to play Bingo, which is a bit similar to lottery, players must purchase one or more cards that have been divided into numbered and blank squares. The caller or banker picks out numbers at random, typically from 75 to 90. While the numbers are being called out, the players will scan their respective cards to see if those numbers appear. The numbers that do appear are marked off, and the first player whose card contain all of the numbers that had been called out shouts "bingo" and wins the game and the prize money.

There is a bingo variation wherein the card's central square is free, and the first player who has 5 of the called numbers appear on his card in a row is declared winner.

There are 5 columns each corresponding to one of the 5 letters B, I, N, G and O. The numbers that fall under the B- column are between 1 and 15. Those in the I-column are between 16 and 30. The numbers of the N-column (which contain 4 numbers and one free space) are between 31 and 45. The G-column's numbers are between 46 and 60. Finally, the O-column contains numbers between 61 and 75.

The caller announces the numbers quickly, so one must pay very close attention and quickly mark the numbers on the cards as soon as they her them. The caller will continue calling out numbers until a player declares BINGO. Then the caller will ask 3 more times if there are any other bingos. The game will stop while the numbers are being confirmed. After the winner or winners are announced, the game begins anew using new cards.

The first confirmed bingo will be awarded the main prize. If there is more than one winner, the prize will be split between them. A bonus prize is sometimes awarded to a verified bingo that appears within the first 10 or less numbers announced by the caller.

Bingo is not such a difficult game to get into, and it can be quite rewarding. The rules aren't so hard to understand, and all one really needs is to pay close attention to the numbers, a little bit of luck to win, and a lot of enthusiasm in order to triumphantly shout out "BINGO!"