The History and Allure of Bingo, One of America's Favorite Past Times
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Posted On :
May-24-2010
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Article Word Count :
522
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Learn about the history and development of bingo. This popular game is enjoyed by people of all ages around the country, and this article explains it's basic rules and some reasons why it's so popular.
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Bingo is a very popular game played by people of all ages. It is a game of chance that allows anyone who can recognize numbers and letters to play and win. The game is often used to teach children the alphabet and basic numbers, or to teach them certain shapes and colors. Alternately, many older people enjoy the game because it's challenging without requiring physical activity. As one of the most popular games in America, bingo still enjoys much the same enthusiasm as it did when it was first created.
The basic game of bingo involves a card, usually a piece of printed cardboard, with 25 squares in a 5 by 5 pattern. Each square contains a number, except for the very center square, which is considered the free space and requires no number to be called to be claimed. Across the stop there are the five letters of the word bingo, one over each of the five columns. Whoever is leading the game calls out one of the letters, then a number. If a player has the number called in the correct column, they place a mark on that square. The number and letter are chosen randomly. Traditionally, a wire ball spinner and marked balls were used, but many modern bingo halls used computerized random number generators.
Winning a game of bingo usually requires filling in a whole column or row on a card, then calling out "Bingo!". The pattern that must be made to win is often determined by the leader of the game, with some games requiring the whole card to be filled in. There are many variations on the basic game. Some games allow players to have up to 10 or even 30 cards at once, while others use electronic or erasable cards. Most versions of bingo are played for a prize, usually either a jackpot of a small entrance fee from all players or a cash prize put up by the organizers of the game.
As bingo is a very popular game, there are many online versions of it. Many people visit local bingo halls to play against others for a prize. Local gambling laws control the methods and prizes of bingo games, making them a safe and fun way to play. There are also bingo games played for tokens, free cards, or other small prizes that are free and open to children. If you'd like a fun activity to enjoy with your children, find a bingo group that encourages families to play together.
The game of bingo is based on similar card marking games from the 16th century. The modern version we play was created by Edwin Lowe, after playing a game called Beano that involved placing beans on a number card. He altered a few details, and started playing the game with friends. One friend was so excited upon winning that he called out "Bingo!" instead of beano, and Lowe called his game bingo. He began to sell the cards and rights to hold bingo games in 1930, and by 1940 bingo halls had started in every part of the country.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The History and Allure of Bingo, One of America's Favorite Past Times_19842.aspx
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Author Resource :
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Keywords :
bingo, games, bingo halls, card, numbers,
Category :
Recreation and Sports
:
Gambling and Casinos
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