Bingo

Bingo's history can be traced back to a game called Lotto, played in Italy in 1530. The name Bingo comes from a corruption of the name Beano, the name of a form of bingo played in the United States in the 1920s. Beano was so called because beans were used to cover the numbers, so that the name of the game was changed to "Bingo" when an excited player called out "bingo" instead of "beano". Nowadays Canadian and American bingo cards are 5 × 5 grids of numbers, there are also dual daub, dual dab, or "double-action" cards that have two numbers in each square. There are also 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 grid cards as well. Each space in the grid contains a number, except for the center square and the highest number used is 75. The columns are headed with the letters of the word "Bingo", and the letter is called with the number, for example B-12, I-15, N-35, G-55, O-70. Each Bingo card has a unique serial number to permit quick verification. In some casinos Bingo players often use multiple cards for each game. Because of the large numbers of cards played by each Bingo player, most Canadian and American halls offer the players to sit at tables to which they can fasten their cards with adhesive tape. To make the multiple card Bingo game more easy the numbers already called and the patterns being played are displayed on electric signs.

Bingo - game

Each Bingo player is given one or more Bingo cards, as he or she wishes. The winning pattern to be formed on the card is announced and displayed. On each turn the caller randomly selects a numbered ball and announces the number to all the players, then the ball is set aside so that it cannot be chosen again. Each Bingo player searches his card for the called number, and if he or she finds it marks it. Numbers continue to be selected and announced until the first player forms the agreed pattern (one line, two lines or full house) on their card and shouts out the name of the pattern or Bingo.

Bingo variants

Bingo is a foundation of some other games based on the same game strategy. Some of the mentioned variants of the Bingo game are:
Buzzword bingo - it is a game usually played in relaxed team meetings. When the player hears one of his buzzwords spoken he crosses it off his card.
Bovine bingo- is a traditional rural fund-raising game that is often played at country fetes and summer fairs. Bovine Bingo is some kind of lottery. The game is played by marking out a grid of rectangles on an enclosed land area, such as a paddock or farm field. The grid cells are then numbered or identified in some way, and chances are sold on each cell. A cow (or other livestock animal) is then let loose within the enclosure and where the first "cowflop" (defecation) lands determines the winner. This game is also known as "Cowpie Bingo", "Fertilizer Lotto", "Cow Patty Bingo", "Cow Pat Lottery", or "Bossy Bingo".