Bingo is a simple and fun game that can be played by anyone provided you know the rules of the game. The game consists of a scorecard with 25 squares wherein the player who gets 5 squares in a row wins. If you play smart and familiarize yourself with commonly used bingo terms and rules of the game, you can play it comfortably.

Listed below are some cues on how to play bingo:

• Be Prepared and Arrive Early: Carry things you may need during the game e.g. a dauber, marker, glue stick or tape, etc. Also, make it a point to arrive early in order to get accustomed to the environment i.e. sitting close to the caller, getting some snacks, interacting with other players, assembling your table, etc.

• Understand the Card: A bingo card has 5 rows and 5 columns. Numbers printed on the card range from 1 to 75 and the columns are marked as B, I N, G and O. Numbers printed on a bingo card follow a specific pattern. They correspond with the letter in the column e.g. in the “B’ column there will be numbers like ‘B-5’, ‘B-10’, etc. Players can play with a single card or may choose more provided they can keep a track of each card as the caller calls a number. However, keeping more cards increases the chances of winning a game.

• Playing the Game: Each player chooses a range of bingo cards that he/she can easily manage. Players have to be attentive when the caller calls out numbers. They have to check whether the number called out exists on their bingo card and if it does, it should be marked with a dauber. Upon achieving the desired pattern on any card, a player shouts, ‘BINGO!’ just before the caller announces the next number. When a number is called out and you have it on your card, you need to cover it with a bingo chip in the form of coins, poker chips or pieces of paper. Every game of bingo starts by placing a chip over the space on the card marked as ‘Free Space’.

• Game Patterns: Common bingo patterns that players try to complete are Crazy Kite, Block of Nine, Large Picture Frame, Coverall, 4 Postage Stamps, Double Bingo Corners, etc. The winner is a player who manages to complete a column, row, diagonal or a special pattern depending on the bingo game. If a player calls out ‘Bingo’ and wins a round, the rest of the layers are required to clear their cards of all the chips places except for the one on the free space at the center of the card.

Visit Texas Charity Bingo at a location near you in Central Texas to socialize with friends and plan an amazing game of bingo.

View Full Image