The Mystique of the Bingo Caller

Bingo Callers have a certain je-ne-sais-quoi. Although their role is “simply” to collect bingo balls and call them out so that people can daub the respective numbers on their bingo cards, their personalities always shine through the calls, whether they’re proclaiming a good old “B12″ or revealing the ball “N32″, you can tell straight away if they have a sense of humor, confidence, and sometimes you can even tell whether they’re having a good or bad day.

Power and Glory of Bingo

Bingo players have always had a love-hate relationship with their bingo caller. There are delicate trust issues, but mostly a kind of reverence for this person who ultimately decides which spots you may daub and whose bingo cards will fill up the fastest. The hardiest of bingo players have often shown outward signs of disrespect toward the bingo caller, but don’t believe what you hear or see. There is no love lost between the bingo player and the bingo caller, because after all, the bingo caller is one of the most powerful figures in the game of bingo, and if he plays his … * ahem * … cards right, the bingo caller can and will win the affections and respect of any bingo hall congregation. The following sections will illustrate how this is done, as well as shed some light on the sometimes stressful but always glamorous role of the bingo caller.

Bingo Calling: A Lifestyle, Not a Game

To bingo callers, bingo is not just a game. It’s a way of life, and it requires talent and skill. The art of bingo calling is can be very specific and challenging – it is a craft, after all, and requires a dedicated and talented person. So what types of qualities and skills does a prospective bingo caller need? Read on.

Don’t Rush.

Bingo is a fast-paced game, yes. But bingo calling doesn’t have to be. Take your time calling each number, don’t forget that most bingo rooms will only consider a bingo to be legitimate once the caller has called it out loud, not once shown on the screen. This is not to say you should call in slow motion, but take your cues from your audience, see how quickly they raise their heads and look expectantly for the next number. Just remember: going too fast will cause some verbal stumbling and errors – and nobody wants that.

Winning Trust

Believe it or not, there can sometimes be some trust issues involved when playing bingo – especially those bingo games that are worth a lot of money. Those high-stakes games and big jackpots can have people very much on edge, so winning your audience’s trust is key. For example, in the case that consecutive numbers come up, give a slight shake of your head and cluck your tongue – giving a little barely-audible tsk tsk. That way, you’ll be leaving your bingo players, like you, blaming luck or faulty equipment.

Is Using Nicknames A Bad Idea?

Oftentimes, bingo callers will use nicknames, or codenames, for bingo balls. We’ve all heard them before – B1, Kelly’s eye. 88, two fat ladies. Many bingo callers will find themselves wondering, are these names outdated? Is it better to be straight forward and clear, or fun and joking? It’s safe to say that it depends on your personal preference. Mandy Gorgan, UK’s first female to receive the Bingo Caller of the Year award, said this: “Bingo is big business these days and it’s important the audience can concentrate on your voice.” Mandy does not go in for “legs 11″ or any other bingo lingo. “You can’t mess around with silly lingo, not when there are such large sums of money at stake,” Mandy added.

Mark Wilson, assistant manager of the Beacon Bingo Club, feels that “people have still got this stereotype of people using ‘two fat ladies, 88′, but that has gone out of fashion a long time ago. It’s very cheesy.”

I believe that it’s a judgment call though; using nicknames can often be a fun part of the game, and if done correctly will often raise a smile or chuckle from your bingo crowd. Be spontaneous. If you can improvise some rhymes or a few gleefully offbeat but appropriate nicknames, do it! And it’s definitely worth being knowledgeable on bingo ball nicknames, in case you do decide to use them.

Let the Audience Guide You

Finally, take your cues from your audience. Are they relaxed? Would they prefer a soft, soothing bingo-calling voice? Are they energetic, or anxious – do they require a strong, confident voice? Melodic, or monotonous? These are all the things a bingo caller must consider before choosing a bingo calling strategy. A good piece of advice would be to take a look at your audience and adapt your calling to fit each unique group of people; make a judgment call. But the final word in this matter is always a personal preference. Do what you feel most comfortable with, and the less artificial and uncomfortable you sound, the more respect you will command and the more enjoyment you will create.

Perhaps the single greatest advantage that online bingo sites have over traditional bingo halls, churches, and pubs is the fact that you can play any time of day. This means even the graveyard shift worker can find time to fit in a few games of bingo every day. In the past, many of us have had to wait patiently for our weekly bingo night but with the ability to play online bingo this is no longer a concern. The best online bingo sites offer players the chance to play their favorite games regardless of the time of day. Plus, many of these sites have followed the format of online bingo leaders like bingo.com by offering not only online bingo but a wide range of games from video poker to pull tabs and much more. The regular constraints of the bingo hall experience are erased in the world of online bingo. You can play whenever it suits you and you can focus on only your favorite games. This means you can find whatever style of bingo you enjoy most at any time of the day.
Play in Complete Comfort

As far as the online gamers’ comforts are concerned, nothing really compares to the ability to play from your own home. But to speak of the comfort of playing online bingo in such limiting terms is a bit unfair. Sure, one of the great advantages of online bingo sites is the fact that you can play from your favorite chair while you’re surrounded by the comforts of home. However, there are many other comforts offered by online bingo. First of all, there is the convenience factor that we’ve already discussed. Because online bingo sites like bingo.com are available 24 hours a day you never have to stress about when you’ll fit in your bingo game. Another comfort that is part of the online bingo experience is the comfort to play only the games you love. Of course, online bingo sites specialize in all the traditional bingo games updated for an online medium but you can also play many other games. Recently, online keno has been seeing an increase in popularity with players who are looking for a bit of variety. So while the comforts of online bingo are present in the traditional sense, a comfy chair in your own home for example, there are added bonuses to playing online bingo!
The Freedom to Play for Free

Another great attribute of the online bingo scene is that you can play free bingo online. By playing free bingo you can familiarize yourself with an online bingo site totally risk free. And there is not limit to the number of games you can play so you can always play for free if that is your preference. With free bingo online you can enjoy all there is to experience with online bingo including exciting games and a great community of players. In fact, many people who choose to play free online bingo do so because of the community. You can meet some great friends and chat while you play the best games risk free. Bingo.com and other bingo sites have focused a lot of attention on recreating the traditional bingo experience online. So while there are some vital differences you never have to play alone. You will find that some of your best friends are the people who play online bingo and the opportunity to meet new people from around the world should be enough to convince you of the fantastic experience you can have playing online bingo.

Indeed, online bingo is all about freedom. You can play when you want, you can play the games you want, and you can meet great people. There are no timetables or schedules to follow. The freedom of online bingo is exemplified by the fact that the best sites are available to you when you need them and not the other way around.