Bingo is one of the most popular games on the planet. Bingo games are organized to get people in a community together, whether for fun and fellowship or to raise funds for civic projects. The fun, mingled with excitement over winning a few dollars, and the sense of social responsibility that goes with playing bingo have made the game one of the most enduring community activities.

Most bingo games are played in bingo halls where there are strict rules to follow. As most people play bingo together over the years, they have fallen into following these rules to the letter. Breaking one of them may upset these people. So before joining a bingo social, orient yourself with the rules and procedures first.

Bingo is played with cards. The cards are bought from the organizers. They are marked with numbers arranged randomly. No single card is exactly the same as another. A bingo announcer selects, at random, balls with numbers and letters on them. He or she announces to the crowd the selected numbers and letters. The players mark their cards accordingly. The player whose card gets the complete marks should shout “bingo!” to be recognized and to receive a prize.