Your Guide to Online Bingo

The story of bingo begins in 16^th-century Italy, where a lottery game called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia" was created in 1530. The latter involved players using cards with numbered squares, which are clear forefathers of modern bingo cards. Note that the game was usually used for charitable causes.

The game eventually made its way to France in the late 18^th century, where it adopted the name “La Lotto”. It was incredibly popular among the French aristocracy, and it boasted a playing card that was split into three horizontal and nine vertical rows.

The 19^th century saw its migration to Germany, where it was, oddly enough, used for educational purposes. The concept was simple; students would use it to learn multiplication tables and spelling while having a bit of fun.

The Old Continent could simply not contain bingo anymore, so it spilled over into the United States in the early 20^th century. There it was called “Beano” until an excited punter mispronounced it and shouted “Bingo!”. Note that cards were marked with beans, which is a tad odd.

Bingo did not forget its philanthropic roots, as it began to be used for fundraising in the mid-20^th century. This time, it was various religious organizations that used it to raise funds and provide entertainment. You can still find such events in modern US churches.

This era also saw the emergence of bingo halls and bingo venues, which were eventually also featured by casinos. As casinos went from brick-and-mortar establishments to online platforms, so did bingo. Various exciting forms were introduced, with mobile and live bingo following closely behind. While it is impossible to predict the future of this exciting game, it is sure to partake in the VR and AR gaming worlds.

Understanding the lingo that makes up online bingo is crucial to having a pleasant gaming experience. Check out the following breakdown of the most popular bingo terms to learn more.

• Bingo - The phrase that is shouted when a winning pattern is formed. Digital variants often feature the phrase in various celebratory animations.
• Card - Sometimes referred to as "bingo card" or "bingo ticket", it is the space on which an individual grid with its respective numbers is placed. Punters mark their numbers when they are called.
• Caller - The person, often a hostess, who calls out numbers.
• Dauber - A special ink marker that is used to mark off called numbers.
• Pattern - A specific arrangement of numbers that punters need to mark off. The patterns differ from title to title.
• Free Space - The center square of a bingo card is usually free and labeled “FREE”. It counts forwards winning patterns.
• Session - A specific period during which multiple bingo games are played.
• Progressive Jackpot - A jackpot that is increased with each placed wager. Winning it requires completing a specific pattern within a certain number of calls.
• Chat Room - Online rooms where punters can interact whilst playing. These rooms often have hosts or moderators to keep things above par.
• CWTCH - A Welsh term for a hug or cuddle that is used to describe a win.
• Lucky Number 7 - A number that is considered lucky by various cultures. Its statistical chances of appearing are, however, the same as every other number.
• Onesies, Twosies - Bingo slang, usually used by callers, for the numbers 1 and 2.
• Early Bird - The first game or games in a bingo session.
• Late Night - Games that are played at the tail end of a bingo session.

It is crucial that you know exactly what a game of online bingo looks like. This will help you ground your expectations and know exactly what is waiting for you at each stage. Check out the following breakdown to learn more:

• Select a Bingo Room - You need to select a bingo room before you can buy a bingo card. Rooms vary in ticket prices, bingo variants, and prize pools.
• Buy a Bingo Card - The next step is to buy bingo cards or tickets. You can purchase multiple depending on the game rules and your preferences.
• The Game Begins - Numbers are drawn by a bingo caller or an automated system. The latter is usually based on RNG or random number generators, so you need not worry about fairness. Drawn numbers are displayed on your screen.
• Mark Numbers - Now you have to mark off or daub-called numbers on your bingo cards. Note that some games do it automatically, thanks to an “Auto-Daub” feature.
• Achieve a Bingo - You will eventually form a winning pattern, which can be a single line, a specific shape, or even a blackout. The latter is a fully marked card.
• Call Bingo - When the winning pattern is achieved, you can click the “Bingo” button and claim your winnings.
• Celebrate with Your Peers - Most games feature a chat feature or automated emoji responses that allow you to celebrate with your fellow punters.
• Start Fresh - After bingo has been achieved, the game resets and starts from scratch.

Punters want to create a winning formulate for every single casino game under the Sun. While strategies cannot guarantee wins or alter the odds of you winning, they can help you tackle bingo in an organized and meticulous manner. Check out the following common bingo strategies to maximize your bingo gaming.

• Resetting After a Win - This strategy involves resetting your original bet after a win.
• Doubling After Losses - One of the riskier but more exciting strategies involves doubling your ticket purchase after a loss. If one card loses, you simply buy two for the next game. Note that this can get very expensive very quickly.
• Multiple Card Plays - Buying more than one bingo card gives you more possible winning lines. However, it does incur additional costs.
• Varied Card Selection - If you are using multiple cards, make sure to vary your chosen numbers. This broadens the spread of your betting and chances of picking winning numbers.
• Early Arrival - Joining a bingo game a bit before it starts is a great idea, as it helps you calmly purchase cards and settle in. You can also exchange a couple of words with your fellow punters.
• Auto-Daubing - Nothing is worse than missing out on called numbers, which is why some punters employ Auto-Daubing or auto-marking in their bingo strategies.
• Pattern and Number Trends - A common strategy is to look for patterns and number trends in previous games. While this cannot guarantee wins, it can help you feel as if you are in control of the action.
• Timing and Frequency - This is one of the more superstitious strategies, as it involves playing at certain hours and days. You should not expect much from this non-mathematical approach.