 |
Traditional Bingo Calls |
|
Many of us just love to play bingo. This easy-going game always attracted many keen players. Some of them traveled far away to visit local bingo halls.
In fact, the game was so popular in the United States and was hosted as popular TV show, under the name of "Bingo at Home" in late 1950s. On the right picture: Bingo players attending TV show "Bingo at Home". The picture is black and white as television signal was transmitted only in black and white version, in that times. |
|
This mentioned TV show was hosted by Mr. Monty Hall, then well-known TV presenter of other quiz shows.
New York's WABD TV station presented this show on their daytime schedule in 1958.
The initial response from TV viewers invited to call in, virtually disabled the station's telephone switchboard. Producers figured out to ask for postcard only replies from the TV show audience, later on.
New York's WABD TV station presented this show on their daytime schedule in 1958.
The initial response from TV viewers invited to call in, virtually disabled the station's telephone switchboard. Producers figured out to ask for postcard only replies from the TV show audience, later on.
|
It was possible to win many (then) valuable prizes at the "Bingo at Home" TV show. You could be happy winner of latest version of car, expensive clothes or black and white TV set, like the DUMONT model from late 1950s shown on the left picture.
The game-play at this TV show was very similar to classic bingo game, but people have to play at home, in order to win the prizes in the studio. Also, special groups played along in the studio audience as well, as shown on the first top right picture. |
No classic bingo calls at modern bingo halls
In the modern times, bingo calling game has a fairly specific calling patterns, and rather boring. To aid recognition of the numbers and ease of fast information delivery, the old names have sadly been eliminated.
The numbers will come at you at a great gust of knots in a modern club. All double digit numbers (with some exceptions), let's say 45, would be pronounced similar to: four and five, forty five.
If it is a single number, such as 2, then its: two, on its own, number 2.
The exception to the double number pronunciation rule, is when a double number is with both numbers the same, such as 88, this would be pronounced as: All the eights, eighty eight.
If it is a single number, such as 2, then its: two, on its own, number 2.
The exception to the double number pronunciation rule, is when a double number is with both numbers the same, such as 88, this would be pronounced as: All the eights, eighty eight.
|
On the right picture: The example of the modern bingo hall. The picture show the new bingo hall at Casino Arizona in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community that was officially opened to welcome bingo enthusiasts, in November 2012.
A lot of new technology is used there, including the audio-visual displays with a 4-sided scoreboard style video in the middle of the room. There are 16 wireless microphones for use by bingo game callers and referees, transmitting to 32 full-range speakers. Amazing! But, is there a place for traditional bingo calls? |
|
No traditional bingo calls at online bingo
Online bingo games are not any different in the way that they are called to land based bingo hall games. Although the game is electronic, each number that comes up is called by voice as well.
But sadly once again with online bingo there is absolutely no interaction between the number called and the old style calling names.
But sadly once again with online bingo there is absolutely no interaction between the number called and the old style calling names.
Most modern day callers pretty much stick to this pattern, but there are variations on it, and occasionally you hear the odd echo of the old name. We have heard some callers do a nine oh, blind ninety, but they are few and far between in our experience.
As we have found on the net, BBC News reported in 2003 that pop stars such as Jennifer Lopez and Gareth Gates could soon prove popular among traditional non-online bingo hall regulars.
BBC in a reportage revealed that new system of bingo call names is developed at bingo halls, in an attempt to bring the game modern and up-to-date.
The majority of old versions of bingo calls will stay in use, there are some new strange propositions, like "J-Lo's bum" (71) and "Gareth Gates" (8).
BBC in a reportage revealed that new system of bingo call names is developed at bingo halls, in an attempt to bring the game modern and up-to-date.
The majority of old versions of bingo calls will stay in use, there are some new strange propositions, like "J-Lo's bum" (71) and "Gareth Gates" (8).
The attempts to introduce new bingo call names are in order to respond to fresh interest in bingo by replacing some of the bingo call names first used in 1950s.
Time will show how bingo enthusiasts welcome such new call names.
Time will show how bingo enthusiasts welcome such new call names.
Classic Bingo Calls
Please find below the classic bingo calls from 1-90 traditionally associated with each bingo numbers called out when playing 90-ball bingo.
Although bingo calls are not used by as many professional bingo callers these days, some bingo calls are still used and are quite amusing to hear. More and more bingo games enthusiasts start playing them online.
Perhaps, we will see in the future that online bingo community figure out their own brand new bingo calls, up-to-date into the 21st century. Time will show!
Although bingo calls are not used by as many professional bingo callers these days, some bingo calls are still used and are quite amusing to hear. More and more bingo games enthusiasts start playing them online.
Perhaps, we will see in the future that online bingo community figure out their own brand new bingo calls, up-to-date into the 21st century. Time will show!
|
|
Please note that the bingo calls can vary due to the local preferences. We just cannot list the entire collection of bingo calls, it's pretty impossible. We are sure, you can find some local variations of bingo calls. Enjoy!
Bingo at Home
The original "Bingo America," hosted by Monty Hall, and sponsored by Chase & Sanborn Coffee.
Amazing! It's really history of Bingo!.
If you plan on staying awake through the whole clip, better have some coffee cup, close to you.
Amazing! It's really history of Bingo!.
If you plan on staying awake through the whole clip, better have some coffee cup, close to you.