How to play bingo
Here is a brief look on how the game of bingo is played. How the game is played varies a bit from bingo hall to another, but with these general instructions you should be able to play the game anywhere.
Playing the game
In the beginning of the game, bingo players buy bingo cards. These cards are 5×5 grids of random numbers, with the letter B, I, N, G and O printed on the top, each letter matching a column of numbers. The middle square of the cards is usually left blank.
After everybody has purchased the desired amount of cards (usually more than one per player) the caller starts to call columns and numbers, for example “B-52″, “C-30″ etc. Players find the correct column (for example B-52 refers to column B) and see if they have the number 52 on that column. If they do, they mark the number with a pen or a bingo dauber. The game continues and more numbers are called.
The aim of the game is to form a certain bingo pattern (announced before the game begins) on the card with marked numbers. The blank square in the middle of the card is automatically marked. There are infinite amount of different patterns, but most often used one is five-in-a-row. When a player has the correct pattern (ie. five marked numbers in a row), he or she yells “Bingo!” to announce he/she won and the game ends.
Bingo is most often played for money. Player who calls the bingo wins the whole pot. The more players, the bigger the pot as part of the card prices is put into the pot. Card prices usually vary from 0.01$ to 1$.
