Bingo
History, Trivia & a Story
by Gayle Mitchell
Like
many of the casino games today, bingo history can be
traced back to Europe, as
taught at Learn, Play Bingo Keno program.
Italy,
specifically, has recorded bingo history in the 1500’s.
The
French contribution was a deck of cards in the
late 1700’s and the
name lotto.
The British have the military
bestowing the name house or
housy-housy on
this form of gambling in the 19th century.
At about
the same time, a form of the game called kino or keno
was making its way into the American culture.
The
Great Depression saw a surge in the game or
'screeno' as it was known when played in movie
houses.
Moviegoers received cards for the
price of admission
vying for cash prizes.
Of course, keno has evolved
today as a popular
casino game and is played much the same.
Other
variations of the American game are fortune, lucky,
radio and beano.
Beano appeared destined to be the name that
stuck, but in
1929, a salesman from New York
observed the game at a local carnival.
While playing with
his friends, a slip
of the tongue from a startled winner resulted in the name BINGO.
More Trivia and Bingo
History
Bing
Crosby was known as Bingo as a child.
Most players also like
to play slot machines.
The majority of players
have a
pet, mostly cats.
A
Bingo
Story:
One
of my experiences many years ago had not been rewarding.
‘Girls
Night Out’ included
5 friends, all of whom were much more experienced with this game than
the only
amateur, yours truly.
My
past experience had been with my harried mother who was trying to keep
four children
occupied by playing bingo for candies; therefore, I had seen
a card
before, and figured I was qualified for the big time.
The
huge bingo hall was exciting. There were masses of people and winning
prospects in
the air.
First
game, I am ready with my two little cards, chips in the air ready to
cover
those numbers.
It was just a matter of time, I figured.
After
approximately 20 numbers were called, what a thrill, you heard the
loudest BINGO!
I could muster.
Friends
were awe-struck at this amazing beginner’s luck; they sat stunned as the verifier
approached.
I
had ONE LINE filled, a WINNER, so I thought, until I was quietly told
that you
must FILL
your card to win.
Can
you see my red
face from there?
Two
friends were mortified because they expected to return to this
same hall soon.
The others laughed until tears rolled.
“You
see,” I tried to explain,” when I played with my brother and sisters,
one line
was a winner.”
I
thought about blaming my mother, but that isn’t fair, obviously she was
trying to make
sure that the
games were short, and hopefully each of us won at least once.
My
mother’s
sense of
fairness has always been one of her biggest assets.
Even
after that experience, I have returned to this game often.
Lingo
of the game follows Bingo History
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