Bingo is a popular game among a diverse range of individuals, communities, and locations. For example, the game is commonly played in an eclectic variety of places like churches, casinos and nursing homes. Church-goers, gamblers, and seniors alike form an unexpected community in their love for the exciting pastime. 

In India, family ties are very strong, and in traditional families, the grandparents continue to live at home as their adult children and grandchildren care for them. Modern culture has changed some of these customs, and now there are many Indian seniors residing in elderly homes. While successive generations in India may play online games and browse websites like gurugamer.com, the older generations have a penchant for playing the classic Indian version of bingo known as “tambola.” 

Bingo’s roots and broad appeal

Bingo has its roots in a lottery-like game in Italy in the fifteen hundreds. From Italy, it traveled to France, Germany, and subsequently to North America, where it was first played at a carnival in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929. Edwin S. Lowe, a Polish-Jewish immigrant residing in New York and making a living from selling toys, changed the name to “bingo” and made significant improvements with the help of the university mathematician Carl Leffner. 

The broad appeal of bingo, especially among the elderly population, is due to how simple it is to learn and play. Without any strategy involved, the game is light-hearted and can also be combined with prizes for the winners. Betting on bingo games is the norm in physical and online casinos. While the excitement of the game among the elderly is the simplicity and perhaps the prizes to some degree, the main thrill for casino enthusiasts is gambling. If you are wondering how does bingo wagering work? It is only when the element of gambling is involved in the game that players can bet a certain amount of money as they predict specific outcomes.

Bingo has positive effects on seniors but not on everyone who plays

Bingo is sometimes informally referred to as a game for the old folks, and the association of bingo-playing in retirement homes and among the elderly is a commonly known fact. However, what is less known as mainstream knowledge is just how very healthy it can be for seniors to play bingo. While games can be a healthy pastime for many, it depends a lot upon the context and how the game is played. 

For instance, while bingo playing brings about several positive benefits for aging adults, it does not, however, have the same effect on gamblers playing online casino games. On the contrary, gambling can have negative consequences, such as overspending both money and time and possibly incurring debt. In moderation, wagering money on bingo and other games can be a way to pass the time that does not have excessively detrimental effects. In light of this, it is absolutely essential to play responsibly if you do choose to gamble.  

Not necessarily a “fountain of youth”, but somewhere close to it

Some of the positive health benefits that bingo has come from a number of factors, such as motivating social interaction and engagement, improvement of cognitive function, stimulating memory, lowering the risk of mental illness, and exercising hand-eye coordination. Interaction with peers and social engagement are very important for seniors, especially since they have stopped working and many have lost friends or a partner due to old age. 

Many aging adults suffer from feeling isolated, and playing bingo can be an excellent way to experience positive social interaction. In addition, the repetitive nature of bingo helps senior players who might not have the capacity to learn complex rules or may quickly forget even simple rules. Retirement homes often hold bingo sessions at regularly scheduled times, adding to the stability of routine. Bingo is both engaging and interactive, allowing players to concentrate on the game for extended lengths of time that promote new pathways in the brain. 

In the vast realm of first-person shooters, a few titles have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. The games listed below stand as shining examples of innovation, gripping gameplay, and enduring legacies.

This genre of games is far from what past generations grew up on, whether it may be traditional bingo games online or craps with friends. Each game has its unique features, captivating players with their distinct qualities. Let's explore these iconic titles that have captured the hearts and minds around the world.

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 remains a seminal masterpiece that revolutionised the first-person shooter genre. Its unparalleled architectural design and groundbreaking animation seem to have rendered other games obsolete. The introduction of a physics system transformed environments into interactive playgrounds, while the formidable Striders and the introduction of believable AI companions added depth and intensity to the gameplay.

As players traverse through the beautifully crafted, desolate world, they are constantly reminded that they are but a small part in a much larger conflict. However, the frustration of an unresolved cliffhanger ending in Episode 2 has left the PC gaming community yearning for more, as the series appears to have come to a standstill.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment, has stood the test of time since its release in 2012. This iconic modern warfare shooter has become a household name, known for its intense gameplay that pits two teams, Terrorists and Counterterrorists, against each other. The objective varies from eliminating the enemy team to planting or defusing a bomb, creating an atmosphere of strategic competition.

Since 2018, CS:GO has been free-to-play, removing the barrier of entry for new players. However, it's worth noting that the game's dedicated community has spent years honing their skills, so newcomers should be prepared for a challenge. Nonetheless, CS:GO remains an enjoyable experience, especially when played with a group of friends, offering a sense of realism that many shooter enthusiasts appreciate.

Valorant

Valorant, the free-to-play game available through Riot's launcher, offers an exciting twist on the classic Counter-Strike formula. While it retains the core mechanics of planting bombs and strategic gameplay, Valorant introduces a magical element with its diverse roster of Agents. Each Agent possesses unique abilities that add a layer of complexity to the intense gunplay. Whether it's teleporting across gaps, stunning opponents with flashbangs, or healing teammates, these abilities are carefully balanced to enhance teamwork rather than disrupt the experience.

Valorant's frequent updates and integrated tools, such as an aim training map, contribute to its appeal as a modern and dynamic shooter. You will find that many players find themselves preferring either Valorant or Counter-Strike. Those who favour Valorant appreciate its up-to-date approach and the convenience of having essential features readily available within the game itself.

Final Thoughts

In the ever-evolving landscape of first-person shooters, Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Valorant stand as icons of the genre. We suggest you embark on these legendary adventures and discover the magic that continues to captivate players around the world.

Bingo (also called Lotto) is a game of chance using cards on which there is a grid of numbers. The banker will pick a winning chain of numbers or row randomly. Overall, Bingo is one of the most popular low-priced gambling games in the world. In this article, we are going to showcase the various types of Bingo and how to play it online.

1. What is Bingo?

General gameplay

There are a lot of Bingo variations, but they share the same core mechanic as below:

• Each player buys one or more cards divided into blank and numbered squares.
• A banker will call out randomly chosen numbers (usually up to 75 or 90).
• The first player to achieve a card (or a line) with all the called numbers will be the winner.

Legality

Bingo is most popular in the US, Britain and Ireland. The game is legal in most U.S. states that prohibit other forms of gambling. It is closely regulated in the United Kingdom and permitted in Ireland when the profits are for charity.

In other regions, Bingo has become pretty popular in Japan and has even been introduced at the casino in Monte-Carlo.

2. Which is better, offline or online Bingo?

Similar to many casino games today, Bingo can be played both Online and Offline, with not much difference between the two variants. Overall, Online Bingo tends to have much more types available comparing to a normal bingo hall.

If you want to play online, it is important to find a legitimate website to play. The three biggest criteria are high security, a big community of players, and provide payout on time. Players can check out Smart Bingo Guide for an updated list of reputable Bingo sites in 2021, along with a complete guide on how to play it online.

3. How many types of bingo games are there?

There are multiple variants of Bingo that you can play. Overall, the types are defined by the number of balls involved. Traditionally, the game is played with 75 balls. As time progress, there has been a number of variants... with even more popping up now as the game becomes online.

The number of balls in play determines your chance of winning. The fewer balls there are, the more likely you are to win. Below are the top types of bingo games you can find online and offline:

30 Ball Bingo

This is bingo on speed! You only play with 30 balls and 3x3 square bingo cards. This is great for people who just want to play a few quick games and have little time to do it. You could feasibly play and win more than once per hour.

This is a quick variant of bingo, with only 3x3 square bingo cards and just 30 balls. This is great for people who just want to play a quick game now and then. In this format, you could feasibly play and win more than once per hour.

90 Ball Bingo

This is the biggest variation of bingo, the opposite of the previously mentioned 30 balls. While 90 balls is not really popular in the States, it is the main format in the UK and elsewhere in the world. This format's bingo cards have 15 numbers divided into 3 rows of 5 and 90 balls.

There can be multiple winners in this format. The first person to have one row completed is the big winner. The second winner is the one with two rows completed...etc. If a player has all 15 numbers on their list scratched, they get the full house victory.

80 Ball Bingo

This is the most popular variant of online bingo. It uses 80 balls, with a bingo card of 16 squares, 4 columns and 4 rows. To win 80 balls bingo, you need to match your card to the winning pattern of that game. These patterns can be anything from row, column... etc.

75 Ball Bingo

This variant is popular in the US and Canada. In this variant, players use 5x5 bingo cards with 25 squares. There are actually 24 numbers with a free space in the middle of the cards.

Furthermore, the numbers and cards are also organized by letters B-I-N-G-O. For each letter, there is a group of 15 numbers assigned: B1-15, I16-30, N31-45, G46-60, O61-75. You can win this type of bingo by filling the numbers in a row or a column. For example, If the caller chooses "B-9," you would look for the "9" square under the "B" column.

4. What are the most popular Bingo patterns?

A bingo pattern is a shape or line that players have to complete on their cards in order to win. Besides the usual rows and columns, there are a lot of variants for the 75 and 80 balls bingo. This is probably the reason why these two variants are so popular... as there are just so many ways to win.

Below are some of the most popular patterns you'll see at bingo:

Four Corners

This variant requires you to get the four corner squares of the bingo card.

Outer Edge

Also called Frame. This pattern requires players to scratch the outer squares that form the border or frame of the Bingo card.

Multiple Rows/Columns

The traditional version of Bingo only requires you to get a single row or column. However, the banker can definitely increase that to 2 or more than 2. The game might even specifically states that you need to get certain rows or columns.

Full House

As mentioned above, the full house requires players to have all the squares on a board scratched. This is similar to the 90 ball bingo games played in the UK.

Letter Patterns

Players are asked to form a letter on their bingo cards. Popular letters are W, Z, E, L, and X.

5. How to increase your win rate in Bingo?

There is approximately a 50 percent chance that one card will require at most 41 calls to complete a Bingo, and approximately a 90 percent chance to complete a Bingo in at most 54 calls.

Overall, the more cards in play, the lower the odds of winning. The odds are calculated by taking the number of cards you’re playing divided by the total number of cards in play. So, if 100 cards are in play and you have 1 card, your chances of winning are 1 in 100. You can reduce that percentage by buying more than one card.

>>> Update more gaming news for both mobile and PC on GuruGamer.com!

Are you somebody that prefers a family friendly Saturday night from the comfort from your own home? If so, you are in luck. Read on for some top tips on creating the perfect Saturday night home games night, which can be done with friends or family, and can be adapted to be more child or adult friendly.

Dig Out Some Classic Board Games

Board games are always a family favourite, so this is a great option if you are having a games night with your kids, particularly since it will ensure that your night is really interactive and will keep everybody entertained. Board games are also great for family reunions with the extended family, since they allow you to talk and have a laugh while playing the game, so it feels super sociable.

There are so many board games out there and something will definitely stand out to you depending on your interests. If you are really competitive, try a classic like monopoly. If you like skills-based games, test your spelling skills with a game of Scrabble. If you want something a little more relaxed and silly, why not try Frustration? Whether you decide to go for an old favourite or something a bit newer on the market, you are guaranteed to have a night of fun.

Play Deal or No Deal Bingo

If your games night is on a smaller scale and you want to make it online, why not play an all-time favourite - deal or no deal bingo? You can find Deal or No Deal bingo games and reviews at roger.com if you don’t know where to start. Bingo is a fun and interactive game that requires a lot of concentration, so you will not become bored in the process. You can buy as many tickets as you want, with each ticket increasing the jackpot size and you can play to win cash prizes.

Depending on whether you are a team player or a lone wolf, you can choose whether you want to team up with players or play solo. Whilst playing bingo in real life is fun, it can also be more comforting playing it from the comfort of your own home and the lack of pressure may make you more successful overall. There is also a chat feature, so even though you aren’t physically with the other players, you can still enjoy an evening full of socialising and making witty jokes with one another.

Make or Buy Some Prizes

To motivate everyone to become fully invested in the games night, a fun element to add is prizes. Depending on how seriously you are taking the games night and depending on your budget, you could either make prizes or you could buy them. If the games night is more aimed at children, giving them stickers or sweets will definitely motivate them to try really hard. If you are with older players, cash prizes or vouchers can be a good option.

If you want to go all out, you can create some certificates or medals which can be won by the winners of the game at the end of the night. If you want to take a more collaborative approach, you can ask everybody attending the games night to bring one prize item each – you could then either put these in a lucky bag or make them into a raffle to add an element of surprise to the evening.

Make a Theme for Your Night

To make your night super fun, why not decide on a theme for the night? This could relate to the games you are going to play, or it could be totally random. You could decorate your house in a theme and ask guests to come dressed up following the theme. Good theme ideas include sea creatures, movie characters or choosing a decade to take inspiration from. Another prize could be given for the best dressed guest.

Adding themes to your evening builds up an element of excitement and means that your guests will all have to put in a bit of work to prepare for the event. This could also work if you want to do a games night remotely – you can each show each other your chosen outfits via webcam.

Games nights are a fun, and often not too expensive, way of having an entertaining night right from your home. Having different elements to your night such as food, themes and clothing can really make it feel like a memorable event that you will look back on fondly. Interaction, whether this is online or in person is also great for your mental health and your general ability to socialise with others, so it is a good idea to try and incorporate this into your weekly activity. Finally, having a weekend games nights will give you something fun to look forward to throughout the week and will motivate you to try that little bit harder during work.

The big-name studios continue to pump out very appealing games, and the new world of live service gaming keeps on cycling through seasons to keep the experience fresh across all platforms. In an industry so intent on driving the new games and getting players to buy into the latest products, it may come as a surprise that so many are reverting back to the classics.

Games that have seemingly had their day in the sun are surging in popularity again, thanks to a mix of new promotions and new additions. Looking at these classics and why they’re growing in popularity, it’s difficult not to get swept up in the fads once again.Bingo

Returning to the World to get ready for the shadows

Through a combination of its range of features, quests, customization options, and subsequent popularity, World of Warcraft will undoubtedly go down as one of the most influential games of all time. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game once had as many as 12 million subscribers.

The game’s popularity faded as the gaming space expanded following its 2004 release, but each new update has drawn in more users. Now, we’re on the cusp of the next expansion, Shadowlands. There’s a tremendous amount of interest in the new addition, which was revealed this time last year, with the cinematic trailer alone earning over 10 million views. To prepare, players are piling back into the World to level-up and prepare for the adventures of the Shadowlands.

It’s back to the balls for the bonuses

If there’s one classic that was once the definition of a massively popular communal game to play live, it was bingo. However, as gaming became increasingly digital and home-based, the cultural phenomenon faded. Brands didn’t really adapt quickly enough to the need to offer a more convenient way to play the game; that’s all changed now, and the crowds are coming back to bingo.

Being a bit late to the game, bingo has had to go all-out to re-establish itself in gaming. To achieve this, the top bingo sites now offer players considerable bonuses and incentives. These don’t only span mobile and PC bingo games, though. Recognizing the massive appeal of slot games, each of these top bingo sites has also integrated the most prominent slots and offer bonus spins to play on them within their platforms. So, those who love the classic game of bingo and new-age slot players have swarmed back to the game.

Reanimating what would have been lost software

Remastering games isn’t anything new in the industry, with many developers looking to give their best-selling games from previous consoles a new run of sales. However, this is usually done with games that sold very well as long as a decade ago. Due to the flop that was the Wii U, Nintendo has slightly altered this approach. The Japanese company has decided that the great games made for the all-but ignored Wii U won’t be left to die with the console.

Utilizing the ever-growing popularity of the Nintendo Switch, games like Super Mario Bros. U, Mario Kart 8, and Pikmin 3 have been brought back to life just a few years after their initial releases, coming under the ‘Deluxe’ banner. Each of them has sold incredibly well, with players being more than willing to dive into games that they missed on the Wii U, even though they are technically years old.

Right now, World of Warcraft, bingo, and the lost games of the Wii U have surged in popularity thanks to recent efforts to bring audiences back to the classics.