How do you increase your chances of winning? Well, since bingo is basically a game of chance, like the lottery from which it evolved over the centuries, perhaps the best way to win (or at least lose the minimum) is by avoiding the games that offer the worst odds. Consider what it costs to play the amount of the prize, the number of cards being played, and the number of squares to be filled in the game pattern.
Compare, for example, a game that costs $1 a card and pays $50, with about 100 cards in play and a game that costs the same $1 a card and pays $100, with 200 cards in play. Your odds of winning are better in the first game, of course: 1 in 100 vs. 1 in 200. But the payout (50 to 1 vs. 100 to 1) makes the two games about even, if you're in bingo for the money rather than just the thrill of victory.
Keep in mind that few games of chance return such a low percentage of the proceeds as bingo. Bingo operations may keep between 25 percent and 40 percent of the buy-in money. The best payout that you can find is 80 percent at most. If you hope to win at bingo, understanding the payout is an important consideration.
Your best chance to win is to find bingo games that have the worst atmosphere: anything that might reduce the number of players - or, more precisely, the number of cards being played - will improve your odds. If you can do without cozy surroundings and great lighting and free drinks or whatever else might attract players, then you can avoid the bigger crowds and seek out better odds. Of course, such parlors may not be very much fun to visit. On the other hand, if you're just playing for fun and the off-chance of winning, then pick the parlor you find most inviting.
It should be mentioned that many players try to increase their chances of winning by playing more cards. That strategy seems statistically sound: players who play more cards are more likely to win, but they're also investing more money in the game and - according to at least one gambling expert - their chances of losing are about the same. Of course, if you can get a deal by buying several cards, so that you're not paying the full price, then you've got a little advantage in terms of your investment.
Some experts advise players to purchase and get as many numbers as they can on a maximum of four cards, to balance numerical coverage and financial investment. But there's nothing magical about having four cards. Many bingo players believe in choosing cards that contain certain numbers in strategic locations on the cards, such as in diagonals and comers or "high-win" squares in straight bingo. (The 16 high-win squares are the squares in any rows of five that include the center, free square.) They swear by "lucky" numbers, digits that have a special significance to them, for whatever reason. Do people who play by "special numbers" win more often? No, but they probably get more passionately involved in the game than other players. Unless you're in it just for the money, that emotional excitement can be a big part of playing bingo.
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Bingo has been a
popular pastime for many years throughout the world. It's great for
friends and family alike.
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The origins
of this highly popular game can be traced back to 1530 Italy. A game
called "Lo Giuoco Code Loto" was born.
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