How much do you know about the game of bingo? Apart from being one of the most popular gambling and pass time games, there are a lot of interesting facts about bingo that many people do not know. If you seek online platforms to enjoy this game, you can visit shuuka.com, among others. This article shares some fascinating facts about bingo that will make you see the game in a new light.

Origins of the Game

Bingo is a very popular game that is enjoyed by people of all ages all over the world. Many people do not know that the game originated in Italy in the 16th century. It is thought that the game was created to teach children arithmetic and spelling. The game made its way to France in the 1770s, known as ‘Le Lotto.’ The game then spread to other parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the 19th century, the game made its way to America, where it became prevalent.

First Bingo Hall

The first bingo hall opened in New York City in 1929. The game was played using cards with numbers on them. The caller would read out the numbers, and the players would mark off the numbers on their cards. If a player managed to get a ‘bingo,’ they would shout out ‘Bingo!’ and win the game. The first bingo hall in the UK opened in 1960. The game became so popular that by the 1970s, there were over 1000 bingo halls in the country. Today, there are thought to be over 500 bingo clubs and around 3000 bingo halls across the UK.

Bingo Numbers and Cards

The game of bingo is usually played with 90 balls. The balls are numbered from one to ninety and are drawn randomly by the caller. The numbers on the balls are arranged in nine columns of ten numbers each. The center space of the card is left blank and is known as the ‘free space. Bingo cards are usually made from thin cardboard or paper. They have 25 numbers arranged in a five-by-five grid.

The columns are usually labeled with the letters B, I, N, G, and O. The number of bingo cards a player has is limited to six as it’s challenging to keep track of over six cards at a time. You can find more information online on bingo, but the ones discussed above are some of the interesting facts you will discover.