Bingo Misconceptions

Everyone has heard of the game, bingo, but have any of you actually thought about going somewhere to play it? People tend to have misconceptions about the game. They might think, "that game is boring," or, "only old people play bingo." They might also think that the only places to go play bingo are in silent bingo halls, which usually draw in crowds of elderly people.

Well I am here to inform you that these assumptions are not always correct! There are local bars that host fun games of bingo. Not only are these games totally free to play, but you can win money, gift cards, and drinks! The bars also provide food and drink specials on these nights. If you are looking for something fun for you and your friends to go do, this is definitely something to check out! You might even bring home more money than you left your house with!

How it Works

The woman who hosts bar bingo goes by Mama and the name definitely fits! She is one of the kindest women you will ever meet. She has many stories and never lets things get boring. She is not afraid to get loud or say what is on her mind. She gets to know everyone who attends her bingo events, especially if they are a regular.

Mama hosts bar bingo at several different locations, Monday through Thursday. It is free to play! Her games start from 7pm to 8pm, depending on where you are playing. So check out the times and grab your bingo card by the time it starts! She will allow a grace period during the first game, in case you are running late. She does get slightly annoyed by this, so try to be on time!

Each night she starts by playing three main games, followed by a jackpot game. She then ends the night with one speed-round game.

In between each game she will ask someone to play two songs on the juke box. This allows everyone a small break to use the restroom and get something to eat or drink. These breaks also help prevent the time from flying by. I play every Wednesday, with a group of some of my best friends, at Main Street Bar and Grill. This is the one day, each week, that we are actually able to get together, catch up, and have some fun. We are always sad to see the night end, so these breaks help keep the night going on a little longer. Plus, everyone loves music!

She will explain the rules with further detail before each game. She will make sure you understand how to play and provide a "cheat sheet", if you want one. The "cheat sheet" has a list of all the types of bingo, and what the winning game for each of them looks like. She will provide a separate playing sheet for each game, totaling up to five sheets. She also provides daubers (the markers used to mark the number spots on your card). Sometimes, she will have daubers for sale, they only cost $1 or $2. I have seven of my own personal daubers, so I can have a variety of colors to choose from. She will also repeat the letters and numbers she calls, in case you do not hear her the first time. I have a hard time hearing the difference between some numbers, such as 35 and 45. She will help you figure out which one she called if you have any problems. 

The Games

The three main games will vary each night. Playing three standard games of bingo can get boring, so this helps keep it more interesting. Each of these games will consist of 4 different boards on one single sheet. You win if you get the specific bingo on any of the four boards on that game's sheet. The games could include; double bingo, outside frame, crazy T, Z, X, H, or I. 

• Double bingo consists of any two standard bingos; this could be any five spots horizontal, five spots vertical, or five spots diagonal. 
• Outside frame consists of all the sixteen outside numbers on a board. The inside free space and the eight inside numbers touching it, do not count. 
• For Crazy T, Z, X, H, or I, you must cover spots on the board to make that uppercase letter. The letter can be flipped in any direction, but must go across the entire board. This means each side of the letter must be five spots long; either vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. 

The jackpot game is the most exciting one, but also the longest. This game also consists of four different boards on a single sheet. You must cover EVERY spot on one of the boards. The first week she will call 57 numbers, there are only 75 total numbers in a game of bingo. If you cover all your spaces within those 57 numbers, you win! If no one calls bingo within the 57 numbers, everyone keeps playing for a smaller prize. Each week that someone does not call bingo within the set numbers, she will call two additional numbers the following week. So if there was no jackpot winner during week one, she would call out 59 numbers the following week. If there was no jackpot winner that following week, she would call 61 numbers the week after, and so on. Once someone wins within the set number, she will start back over, calling 57 numbers again the next week.

The speed-round game is the last game. This is a single board on a smaller sheet. She does not call the letters, and she does not repeat her numbers. It is very quick! You play for a standard bingo; five spots vertical, five spots horizontal, or five spots diagonal. 

Prizes

• For the first game the prize is $10.
• For the second game the prize is $15.
• For the third game the prize is $25.
  
  
• The jackpot game prize varies.
  
       -The first week she will set the jackpot winnings at $70. She will call 57 numbers. If you cover all your spaces within those 57 numbers, you win!
       -If you call bingo after the 57 numbers, you win a $10 gift card to the bar.
  
       -Each week that someone does not call bingo within the set numbers, the prize amount will go up by $20 the next week. She will also call two additional numbers.
  
       -One week the jackpot prize reached $190 and she called 69 numbers!
  
  
• The speed-round game prize is a free drink of your choice.
  
       -On the holidays she will have special prizes!
  
       -On Thanksgiving the prize was a turkey and on Christmas the prize was a ham!