Bingo is a game of chance played with small wooden or plastic balls. The object of the game is to cover as many squares on a card as possible by matching the balls in a row, column or pair.
Bingo is commonly played in social and recreational settings, as well as for entertainment purposes. To be considered a Bingo game, there must be at least 21 squares on the bingo card.
The modern bingo game began in 1486 in England, when men gathered together to play a game of noughts and crosses. The name “bingo” likely comes from the French word “bengale,” meaning an area where palm trees grow. Bingo was first introduced to the United States in 1910 and became popularized during World War II as a way to keep soldiers occupied.
In 1947, the first American Bingo Association formed and the first national bingo tournament took place that same year. Today, there are more than 2,000 member associations worldwide.
To be considered a bona fide bingo game, there must be at least 21 squares on the bingo card – this ensures that players have a fair chance of winning. Additionally, all players must take part in the game simultaneously – no sitting around waiting for someone else to finish! The balls used in bingo can be either wooden or plastic, but they must be small enough so that each ball can be easily seen by all players.
Finally, all games must adhere to certain rules and guidelines set forth by governing organizations such as the World Bingo Association (WBA).
