Online bingo in the UK

Online bingo has become increasingly popular in the last few years, due to a decline in high street bingo halls and an increased interest in the Internet. Official statistics released last year by the government show that high street bingo in the UK has reduced from 650 to 460 bingo halls - a 29 per cent decline. Playing bingo online has also attracted a new, younger audience, with 20-30 year old women said to be the most typical players.

Bingo was first played in Europe in the 1800s, where a caller would draw wooden chips, numbered from 1-90, out of a bag. It then became popular in Australia, where it was known as Housie and held in big marquees.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that bingo became commercialised in the UK, but now more than three million people play regularly. One of the first free online bingo games was launched in 1996 and now there are over 100 online bingo sites in the UK, allowing you to choose the one which suits you the most.

The UK is the fastest growing market for the online bingo. It currently holds third place in the world for its popularity, with Japan taking the number two spot and the US leading.

The most popular bingo games played in the UK online are 90-ball games. Every card has three horizontal lines and nine columns. Each line contains five numbers, meaning each card has 15 numbers. The first column contains numbers from 1-10 and so on through to the final column which contains numbers from 81-90.

A typical 90-ball bingo game is played in three stages. The first is the one line game, where you’ll mark off numbers on your card until you’ve completed one horizontal line. The next is the two line game, where again you’ll mark off numbers until you’ve completed two lines horizontally across your card. A full house is then played, where you compete to mark off all 15 numbers on your card. The winning fee will depend on which stage you win at, with the person winning the full house claiming the largest prize.

Online bingo in America is usually played a little differently and with only 75 balls. The aim of the game can also be different: to win you may either have to complete a simple line, or a more complicated themed pattern. Of course the overall aim is the same however: to mark off all the numbers and complete a full house.

Each online bingo site differs but once you sign up you’re either asked to download free software to play the games or you’ll be able to play straight away using applications such as JavaScript or Adobe Flash.Once started there are a few features that you can use to help you with your game. Auto-daub is one of them, it automatically marks off the numbers on cards as they are called, meaning you don’t have t do it yourself.

Today, most UK gaming sites offer free online bingo. These games offer you a chance to win small amounts but also allow you to get the hang of how online bingo works. Once you’ve worked out the system you can fund your account and play for the big prizes on offer.

Unlike a few years ago, many UK bingo sites now offer free no deposit bingo. It is a way to attract new customers to the game, especially ones who are inexperienced and scared of losing money before they know how to play. Offering free money and allowing you to withdraw the cash for the game can be a great incentive to carry on playing. So if you’re a beginner it could be a good idea to look out for the free bingo rooms first - they may only offer smaller jackpots, but you won’t be losing out as you won’t be spending a penny.

Deposits on UK bingo sites are usually calculated in percentages. 500 per cent means you’ll get five times your deposit if you win, and so on. However, most of the sites simplify this for the beginners, stating that, for example, if you put down a deposit of £5 you’ll get £20 for free.

Even though you’re playing online, that doesn’t mean to say that there isn’t a social element to the game. When you’re playing in a bingo hall talking is strictly forbidden, but online it’s encouraged. Once you’re a member of a particular online bingo site you will have access to chat rooms, allowing you to message other players, bond with new ones and form online friendships.

Most sights have etiquette about talking to other players, usually called ‘chatiquette’. Players are encouraged to congratulate a player when they win and play chat games in between bingo games. This is usually done by the chat monitor who will introduce players to each other and try and create a friendly, fun atmosphere between them.

Once you become a regular on Internet bingo games you may start to recognise other regulars who are coming online to play the same games as you at the same times. Of course, you don’t have to join in and speak to them via the instant messaging service, but it’s much more fun when you do. If you’d prefer a more private way of talking you can also use private chat buttons with another player.

Online bingo is also popular because of its convenience; you can literally play it anywhere. Unlike real-time bingo you don’t have to turn up to a certain place at a certain time and play when everyone else wants to. You can choose your time and location; you don’t even need to get out of your arm chair if you don’t want to. You can play it at 2am or 2pm, whatever takes your fancy.

Bingo has changed considerably in the past few years, and had reached a new audience via the Internet. However, online bingo can have some pitfalls, so be cautious and sensible when looking for the right site to play on.

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