Bingo Games Make Good Party Games

Classic Bingo is a game of chance played with cards numbered 1 thru 75 on a 5 x 5 grid. The five columns are labeled B-I-N-G-O and the numbers are randomly chosen for the vertical columns. The B column holds numbers from 1 to15, the I column has numbers from 16 to 30, the N column has 31 to 45, the G holds numbers from 46 to 60, and the O column contains random numbers in the 61 to 75 range. The center column is a free space - a joker.

Playing Classic Bingo Games

Classic Bingo has a "caller" who picks numbers randomly turned in a drum (somewhat like Keno). He calls the number, the players mark the number on their cards, and the first to get a winning sequence calls out "Bingo". The winning sequences are announced before the game begins. They can be all four corners, diagonal lines, or full card. At most Bingo games, prizes are awarded to the winners.

Many churches, synagogues and charity organizations use Bingo parties to raise money for their organizations. They charge an entry fee and a price for each Bingo card picked by a player so that, despite sometimes giving out money prizes, they make money for their organization.

Bingo for Parties

However, Bingo is an attractive game for house parties too. It can be played in many variations depending on the imagination of the host or hostess. For example, you can have a Christmas Bingo party. In Christmas Bingo, each guest must bring some kind of gift in a paper bag. No one is to know who brought which gift. When all the guests have arrived and are sitting around the table, the host or hostess empties out all the gifts in the center of the table and the game begins. Each time a number is called and a player has that number on his card, he picks a gift from the pile. When all the gifts are gone, the players try to steal a gift from other players when a number is called which appears on their card. When all the numbers in the drum have been called, each player remains with the gift or gifts he managed to obtain.

Another Party Bingo game can be created by the host or hostess. The party maker creates his own Bingo cards by writing in each square a characteristic of a guest, such as: born in another country; knows how to knit; loves pizza, etc. The guests must go around the room getting the signature of someone who fits a description in the squares. The first guest to fill his Bingo card with signatures is the winner. The host or hostess should have some kind of small gift to give as a prize to the winner.

Bingo Variations for Different Parties

Variations on the above Party Bingo can be made to fit Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Thanksgiving family get togethers, and Birthday parties. The point of Party Bingo games is to have a lot of laughs and fun. Party Bingo games have nothing in common with casino Bingo and gambling. They are geared to enliven your party with fun and entertainment.