More and more people are getting into bingo, which you can now play online. Since its inception, many people have loved the game with its simple rules. You get a card, wait for your number, and yell bingo until you form a pattern. With such popular bingo games, places can host bingo tournaments for the best players. As a result, people got more aware of bingo through the years.
Before bingo became popular, it went through many changes since its founding. From its simple beginnings in bingo halls, it became one of the most in-demand games. Check out these interesting bingo facts!
Bingo’s Origin
Bingo started out as a lottery game in Italy. In 1530, the game was known as Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia among Italian players. However, the squares you see in bingo cards today came from the French. They introduced 27 squares in three rows and nine columns. These squares include numbers ranging from 1 to 90, which is the basis of modern-day bingo.
When it reached the United States, a salesman named Edwin Lowe popularized the game by calling it “Beano.” This version used dried beans, a stamp, and cardboard sheets in a 12 or 24-card set. With his contribution, the game became more widespread.
The First Online Bingo Game
The first online bingo game started in 1996 in a program called “Bingo Zone.” It was the first online e-bingo game, and it was succeeded by “Bingo Blitz” in 1998. Today, there are many online casinos that offer bingo. In the United Kingdom alone, more than 3 million players have played online bingo. These games are available anytime, anywhere, in the comfort of your home. In addition, online bingo games can include gamification features to lengthen one’s playing time.
Bingo Statistics
Among players, 10% of them are women, while 5% are men who play traditional bingo. In online bingo, around 83% are female players alone. Most people who play bingo are 35 years old and under, but some older players still play. According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of players in a bingo game took place in December 2006 in Bogota, Colombia. This event involved 70,080 players who played bingo.
Bingo Cards
When bingo cards were made, the Germans used them as an educational tool to teach math to students. These students were able to learn simple multiplication tables. Since then, various schools used bingo cards as an introduction to multiplication.
In the United States, bingo cards follow a 5×5 grid while the United Kingdom follows 3 rows and 9 columns. The number combinations also vary, with the 5×5 grid using a range of 1 to 75. On the other hand, the 3×9 grid has a range of 1 to 90. With these numbers, you can make up many possible combinations in one card.
Wrapping Up
There are many different facts that led to bingo’s development. From its origins in the lottery, it became one of many exciting games to play based on luck. You get to learn the basics of math while also winning at the same time. With the accessibility of technology, you can now play bingo online and play with people worldwide. In the end, bingo is an exciting game to engage your wits with numbers.
