Different variations of Bingo

Bingo is a game of chance played with randomly drawn numbers which players match against numbers that have been pre-printed on 5x5 matrices. The matrices may be printed on paper, card stock or electronically represented and are referred to as "cards." Many versions conclude the game when the first person to achieve a specified pattern from the drawn numbers. The winner is usually required to call out the word "Bingo!", which alerts the other players and caller of a possible "win". All wins are checked for accuracy before the win is officially confirmed at which time the prize is secured and a new game is begun. In this version of bingo, players compete against one another for the prize or "jackpot".

Alternative methods of play try to increase participation by creating excitement. Since its invention in 1934, modern bingo has evolved into multiple variations, with each jurisdiction's gambling laws regulating how the game is played. There are also nearly unlimited patterns that may be specified for play. Some patterns only require one number to be matched, up to cover-all games which award the jackpot for covering and entire card and certain games award prizes to players for matching no numbers or achieving no pattern.

U-Pick'Em bingo

A common form of bingo that allows players to select the numbers they wish to mark and monitor for a win. While this game closely resembles Keno, a game which was invented by the Chinese and predates the Han Dynasty, it is recognized as a variant of bingo and permitted in almost all jurisdictions.

Quick Shot bingo

A game where numbers are pre-drawn and players purchase sealed bingo cards which the tear open or reveal electronically and match there cards against. If a specified pattern is achieved, then the player usually wins a prize according to a prize table. Some versions are played until a player achieves a top level prize and then new numbers are drawn and the game begins anew. This type of bingo may be played over days, weeks or months depending on the difficulty of achieving a top level prize.

Bonanza bingo

Typically 43 numbers are pre-drawn at the beginning of a bingo session. Players purchase sealed cards which are then matched against the predrawn numbers. At a designated time, the caller asks if anyone has bingo. If no one does, the caller then draws one more ball. This game is commonly played as a "progressive" game, where the jackpot increases as more cards are sold. If no one has achiaved bingo after the single ball has been drawn, players then hold their cards for the next session of bingo which may take place the following day or following week. Thereafter, each session a single ball is drawn and players may continue to purchase additional sealed cards until someone aceives a cover-all. This version of bingo awards prizes to players who do not have a single number matched from the initial 42 numbers drawn.

Horse Racing bingo

Up to 15 players are randomly issued a number from 1 to 15 whcih corresponds with the top row of the bingo flashboard. Numbers are then drawn and the first person to haave all five numbers in their column be drawn wins. This is a fast paced and exciting form of bingo typically played in fraternal organizations.

Table bingo

With the expansion of Tribal gaming across the US, there are numerous versions of bingo which now emulate the fast action of casino like table games but utilize the pricipals of bingo where players mark and monitor matrices cards with chips. Casino games like Roulette, Acey Duecy and Money Wheel's have bingo counterparts which are permitted to be played under bingo licenses in many parts of the country.

Electronic bingo

The advent of computer technology in bingo has blurred the lines between traditional slot machines and bingo slot machines. To the average person, bingo based slot machines are physically indistinguishable from an RNG based slot machine typically seen in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Most Native American Tribes which are unable to reach a compact with their state government, utilize bingo based slot machines, as bingo is exempt from state regulation for most Federally recognized tribes.

Christmas bingo

Each player brings three presents to the event. The presents should arrive at the facility wrapped and hidden in a brown paper bag; it is important that no other participant knows which presents each other player brought. After all participants have arrived, the presents are taken out of the undistinguished bags and put in the center of a circle formed by the players.

Before play begins, each participant receives a blank bingo card with 25 squares. Each player then fills in their card by putting any number between 1 and 40 in each empty box. No number should appear more than once on any card.

Play begins as a caller - who can also be playing - picks a number out of a hat. Each person who has that number on their card crosses the number off and selects a present from the center. After each person who had the called number has taken a gift from the center, the caller picks another number. Play continues as before until all of the presents have been selected from the center. At this point with each number called a player must 'steal' one from another player.

Play ends when the caller has picked all the numbers. Each player then gets to keep each present that they ended the game with.

C/O: http://www.wikipedia.org/