Bingo Numbers Soar

UK online bingo operators recent made news as they boasted the rise in bingo player numbers across UK bingo websites. The operators are smiling all the way as their daily player numbers had increased considerably by 19% since September 2007. The increased numbers is good news for the internet bingo industry as this means that online bingo is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in online gaming. A recent study done in the capital of Whales, focused on women in the bingo industry and it seems that the popularity of online bingo websites have grown significantly among these young women.

The bingo website that executed the survey, gathered that women aged between 18 and 35 prefer online bingo to gym. 22% of these women all agreed that playing and potentially winning beats exercise in a gymnasium. According to the website, when women had to select between online UK bingo and shopping, 19% of them would rather sit in the comfort of their own home and play bingo than spend their money out shopping.

According to the Bingo Association, nearly half of bingo players are under 45- they say that bingo is in a transformation phase and attracting more of a younger crowd. Another study surveyed that there is round about 51 000 women under the age of 35 playing bingo online. This study concluded that out of the 51 000 women, 22 % of them log on more to online bingo websites than being active in the gym. These figures challenge the belief that bingo is only for old grannies blue-haired grannies and walking sticks. Bingo is transforming as an acceptable pastime for both young and old all over the United Kingdom and Europe.

Online Bingo

An added benefit of playing online bingo is that you can simultaneously chat and develop new contacts on the Internet. Courtesy demands that you do not disturb the other players while chatting. You can also celebrate your winnings with your online friends, talk to them, and even lend money. Also Canadian and American games often allow multiple bingos - for example, the players may first play bingo for a single line, then after that is called continue playing for a full card, then for a consolation full card.

In the British and Australian versions, internet bingo cards have 3 rows and 9 columns. 5 squares in each row contain the numbers 1 to 90 and the rest are left empty. The numbers are called out rapidly so that the players hardly get time to play more than one book or 6x cards. A free bingo book is a set of six cards and has the numbers from 1 to 90, the order being 15 numbers on each card, 5 numbers in each row. The first column comprises single numbers; the second contains tens, the third twenties, and so on. Number 90 is placed in the ninth column along with the eighties. Each card is equipped with a unique serial number to allow easy verification by the computer.

All the players are given a card, which has a grid that contains an exclusive grouping of numbers. In some of the versions, it is even left blank. The winning combination is proclaimed beforehand. A caller is deputed (he is not a player) who selects a numbered ball from the bowl and announces it. The ball cannot be played again. If the number of the ball coincides with a card that a player has, he would mark it. In this UK bingo game, speed is of essence. A player has to keenly listen to the number being called out, check his cards for the number and mark it in the relatively short time before the next announcement.