What is bingo and how does it work?
Bingo was formerly named “Housey Housey” within the United Kingdom, and is a game of gambling from unknown origins.
The game is played by participants crossing off numbers that are called out at random – the players then mark the numbers from their cards. Players will win the game if they achieve a certain winning combination of the numbers. This version of the game is unlike the American version, where the tickets and calling are slightly different.
A bingo ticket is made up of 27 separate spaces which are set out into nine columns with three rows. Each of the rows has five numbers with four of the spaces left blank. The columns will each contain one, two, or uncommonly three numbers.
The first column contained within the ticket is made up of the numbers one to nine. The second column is numbered ten to 19, and the third from 20 to 29. The columns continue in a similar numeric pattern and the final column includes the numbers 80 to 90. The final column is diverse to those preceding it by including ten numbers.
Each game of bingo is overseen by a caller. Their position is required to call out the numbers that players need to cross off of their tickets. Bingo callers will also authenticate any winning tickets that may appear during the session of bingo.
The bingo caller will also announce the prize prior to the game beginning. Just before they are about to begin calling the numbers they will say “eyes down” to show that they are about to begin the game.