Some of the most popular games are those that combine luck and skill so that experienced players can really use their skills to try and beat the odds. Bingo has always been popular as a fun way to play with friends and family and the excitement of a potential win.
From the basic game with balls, cards, and dabbers, to the more sophisticated electronic and online versions, bingo has many fans around the world. The appeal of no deposit bingo sites has made the game even more accessible and gives players a chance to try their luck without any risk.
Bingo has a long history in the UK, with early reports of it crossing the water from Italy in the 18th Century. Forms of bingo were even used as educational tools in Germany, helping children to learn facts and figures from history, master their times tables and improve their spelling.
Bingo was popularised in the UK during the 1920s when it became a popular game at fairs, and its enduring appeal resulted in a proliferation of bingo halls. By the 1960s, bingo had become mainstream, and the leisure groups of the day brought bingo to their dancehalls and cinemas.
Bingo quickly became a favourite among largely female groups of players, who would organise their own bingo nights, only bringing men in for their loud voices to call the numbers. The organisation and oversight was traditionally the job of the women involved, who ensured that games were run fairly.
The basics of playing bingo
In its simplest form, bingo requires only basic equipment, and the gameplay is straightforward and easy to follow. Players can work their way up from one card to playing with multiple cards at the same time.
The challenge of playing with a lot of cards at once was once the sign of a seasoned bingo player, but digitisation has made it easier to keep track. Electronic bingo allows players to prioritise the tickets that are most likely to win, making it even easier for players to socialise without missing out on a chance to win.
With so many ways to secure a prize, bingo has the advantage of offering a wide range of goals. Different games allow different winning combinations, some of which include:
- Outside corners
- Inside corners
- Diamond
- Lines (these can be vertical, horizontal or diagonal)
- Multiple lines on the same ticket
- Full House
Seasoned players will be well-versed in the different formations that could signal a win and the patterns that are most likely to turn into prizes.
Bingo in the 21st century
One of the main reasons that bingo has remained so popular is the social nature of the game. From pre-schoolers playing picture bingo together to families going to a bingo hall for a night out, the simple, yet engaging nature of the game makes it compelling and fun.
As one of the most popular games in the UK, bingo generated around £910 million between 2019 and 2020. There are still more than 600 bingo halls in the UK, although the increasing popularity of online bingo has been blamed for a downturn in the demand for physical games in recent years.
While the essentials of bingo have stayed the same, the digital age has provided a range of bingo games that can be played online. This makes bingo even more accessible, providing opportunities for players to inject a little excitement into their commute or make an evening in feel more like a night out.
Online bingo has become a great substitute for playing at a bingo hall. The variety of games available means that there are plenty to choose from, with various versions based on the number of balls in play or taking themes from popular shows such as:
- Deal or No Deal
- Take Me Out
- Britain’s Got Talent
- The X Factor
- The Chase
Players can combine their favourite shows with the excitement of a bingo game, making online bingo even more appealing and fun. Favourite characters and players are incorporated into the games to keep excitement levels up.
Online bingo – the game of the future
The social side of bingo can also be replicated online, with mobile apps allowing people to play on separate devices when they are together. Players can not only continue to play together, wherever they are, but it is a lot easier to keep track of your wins, losses, and betting history with an online account.
Security has also been a factor in the rise of online bingo which now has many providers competing for each player’s custom. Being able to deposit and withdraw funds quickly and safely has given online bingo games an advantage over brick-and-mortar venues.
Online bingo providers are also able to analyse player behaviour in order to create new and exciting games that they will enjoy. The competition for players means that the developers are motivated to design appealing games, and the site owners draw in new players with great offers and impressive prizes.
Bingo has been popular for centuries and is already taking the world of online gaming by storm. The familiarity of the format combined with the variety of themes available online makes for an engaging and fun hobby that can be played anywhere.