Bingo cards in the U.S.
typically feature a free space at the bottom, which is where the bingo caller marks off the numbers as they are called. The purpose of this space is two-fold: first, it allows the caller to keep track of which numbers have been called, and second, it helps to ensure that all players have a fair chance of winning. .
The practice of including a free space on bingo cards originated in 19th century England, where players would use small pieces of paper to keep track of which numbers had been called. As playing cards became more common, however, manufacturers began using cardstock for bingo cards, which eliminated the need for players to use paper.
In 1966, the National Bingo Association (NBA) adopted a rule specifying that all bingo cards must include a free space at the bottom. The purpose of this rule was to ensure that all players had an equal chance of winning.
Although many countries now require bingo cards to include a free space at the bottom, the practice of including a free space on U. bingo cards remains prevalent. This is likely because – unlike playing card manufacturers – Bingo Card companies do not have an incentive to reduce the number of spaces on their products.
As a result, U.-made bingo cards typically feature a number of spaces equal to the number of balls in a regular deck (48).
