Bingo has been around as a game for hundreds of years. During this time, humanity has seen revolutions of all sorts, social, political, and technological. Yet no matter how much society advances, people are drawn back to the simplicity of twenty-five squares, random chips, and a cry of victory. What can explain the staying power of this game? The reasons are three: Fun, friends, and fortune. Each element will be examined in turn.
Bingo is, in essence, fun. There is no denying it. While video game consoles ever-increase the complexity of fun, it is always the basic games that stay the test of time. Combine the anxiety of the next called number with the thrill of progression toward a completed line, all the while wondering about the progress of the competition, and all necessary components of competitive fun are present. “Bingo†when exulted is the euphoric conclusion. In addition, bingo is not an individual game. Although this aspect may be changing in the digital, online age, bingo is traditional played in halls, with friends, family, church members, etc. Especially when organized on a weekly or monthly basis, going to the bingo game means meeting up again with acquaintances and renewing friendships. Certainly many a romantic attachment has been made as well. Of course, bingo can be played for free. That is the way the game is learned during youth, when parents buy the first bingo set for their kids. Certainly, competition has value in its own right, and winning comes with bragging rights unequalled among friends. Bingo, however, in its most pure form, is a type of gambling. This adds to the anxiety, but also raises the stakes. Usually, however, the gambling is for a good cause, so even if the player doesn’t win, the fun, friends, and knowledge of the help given to the cause makes it all worthwhile. Ah, but if the player does win… how much sweeter the game!
--
Mecca Games |
