5 Facts about bingo you did not know

A classic game

Bingo is a game that has been around for centuries and is a game of chance that people of all ages can enjoy. No matter when you play it, it always brings excitement and fun to each game. Once you get the basics down, you can start playing! Each player marks off numbers from their bingo cards as the numbers are announced by ‘the caller.’ The first player to complete a predetermined sequence wins the game. This is when you get to shout the famous line “Bingo!”

For a game that has been around for so long – we bet there are some interesting facts about it that you might not have known! If you’ve come here to find out more on bingo, sit tight. You’ve come to the right place! Read on as we give you the top 5 facts about bingo that you didn’t know.

1. Bingo originated in Italy

Although bingo is a beloved game worldwide, most people don’t know that it originated in Italy. It is believed to date back as far as the 16th century. At this point, it wasn’t called ‘bingo’ but was derived from the Italian word for lottery and instead called ‘Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia.’

From then, this lottery style of playing was next taken to France, which they called Le Lotto, before making its way to other parts of Europe, like the UK, in the 18th century. The earlier bingo games still involved similar rules to what we know today, and it gained widespread popularity in the 20th century. The first bingo card was created ba 1942, and the chance to win big prizes is thanks to the change of legislation in the Betting and Gaming Act in 1960.

2. Bingo is played differently in some countries

Today, you can play lots of bingo variations, whether online, through themed games, or with different numbers of balls. Bingo, for many years, has commonly been played in bingo halls across the globe. In India, the game is known as Tambola; in Quebec, you will find it called Kinzo. In the UK, the most common way to play bingo is with a 90-ball set.

Appropriate to the name, the game involves 90 balls, with a card with 27 spaces, across three rows and nine columns. Players can win prizes if they get one line of numbers, two lines, or even a full house. In the US, you typically play with 75 balls. The bingo card is laid out differently, with 25 squares comprising a five-by-five grid.

3. Bingo helps your brain power

Bingo isn’t just a game full of excitement and fun; it has also been shown to help your mental capacity. Research has shown that playing bingo will help enhance memory capacity, hand-eye coordination and cognitive processing. As mentioned before, bingo is a game that all ages enjoy. However, it is a lot more popular amongst the older generations. In many care homes worldwide, bingo is played with those experiencing the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s. So, next time someone tells you off for playing bingo too much – tell them it’s making you smarter!

4. Your name can make a difference

Hear us out. Although this might seem ridiculous, studies have found unusual but effective ways of improving your chances of winning bingo. The results have shown that your name can be one of them. According to statistics, you have a better chance of winning at bingo if your name is Margaret. Of course, you should still play if your name isn’t Margaret! Or, if you know someone called Margaret, bring her along with you next time as your good luck charm!

5. Bingo appeals to a younger demographic

Many people often associate bingo with being played by older people. However, a third of bingo players these days are aged between 25 and 34. Most of these players can be found playing it online at home rather than at their local bingo hall. As with many games, the natural evolution of bingo is that it is heading towards technology, making it more accessible for everyone. At one point several years ago, people believed that bingo’s popularity would die out due to fewer people attending bingo halls. The online version of this game saved it. The enthusiasm for bingo hasn’t left, but as the world evolves, the game must too. Online bingo means people can play whenever they choose and hone their skills to become even better players when they next visit a bingo hall.