What to Know If You Want to Enjoy Playing Online Bingo in the UK?
“Two Fat Ladies”. “Keys to the Door”. “Legs Eleven”.
Shout out one of these anywhere other than the UK and people will think you’re a right weirdo. In Britain, however, these are just some of the well-known expressions that have been heard in bingo halls throughout the past country.
If baseball is America’s traditional pastime, then bingo is most definitely in the running as the British equivalent (move along, football fans!). It may not be quite as big as it once was, but it still holds a place in the public’s imagination. Want to get involved in one of the nation’s greatest traditions (with a modern twist)? Here’s what you need to know.
Quick History
Ever since it was introduced to us in the 18th century, bingo has been popular with the British public. But it wasn’t until the 1940s when it really took off. During the Second World War, bingo halls were packed with people, most of whom were looking for a communal and sociable way to forget the hardship of war. Drink, food, entertainment, chats with friends, it was all part of the bingo experience.
Bingo halls are still a ‘thing’ in 21st century Britain, but it’s not quite what it used to be. But that doesn’t mean the game is disappearing, on the contrary. It’s actually moving with the times.
Online bingo games are becoming increasingly common, with the best bingo sites combining old school nostalgia with modern features. We’re pretty sure the game is here to stay, both in the traditional format and new varieties!
How to Enjoy Online Bingo
Sure, you can just load up one of the many bingo sites and start playing, but if you do that you may not get the full experience. Here’s how to supercharge your introduction to online bingo.
Chat With Others
You play online bingo on your personal computer, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Bingo is a sociable game; its very essence is to get people together and enjoy being part of a community.
While talking during the game is a major faux pas in live halls, online bingo is different. You can talk throughout your entire game! But when you really want to concentrate, all you need to do is minimise that chat window.
Explore Your Options
Just like each old school physical bingo hall has its own personality, its own look and feel, so goes for the online bingo game. Each website will usually have a variety of options and games, many of which you will be familiar with if you’ve played before.
What really sets online bingo apart are the extras. Many games have dazzling graphics, unique themes, and they offer extreme flexibility and playability. It’s just as addictive (in a good way!) as the real thing.
Distracted? Auto Daubing!
Spent too much time chatting and not enough paying attention to the game? Not to worry. Most online bingo games allow you to enable the ‘auto daubing’ features, which marks your numbers automatically in case you’ve missed them.
This feature is also particularly useful if you want to play more than just one card. Many bingo veterans can play with as many as 9 at once, but not everyone is that experienced! Enable the auto daubing feature and you can enjoy the game without stress.
Don’t Focus on Money
For most people, bingo is a hobby. It’s a fun game, a chance to forget about daily troubles and socialise with people. Don’t let the idea of making money make you forget about that.
Online bingo is just like the traditional game. People focus on relationships. Don’t think of bingo as a chance to fill your purse, but a way to enrich your life. Sure, you can win big, but that’s not the (entire) point of the game.
Use Bonuses!
Online bingo has a huge advantage over the run-of-the-mill bingo hall: the bonus offers. They can be extremely generous, particularly if you’re a new player. Many websites offer free cash as a sign-up offer, giving you the chance to dip your toe into the game without spending much of your own money.
And these bonuses don’t stop once you’re a veteran player. Sites usually do bonus rounds on a regular basis, including deposit bonuses and free games. All you need to do is look for them!
Final Tip: Change It Up!
Our final piece of advice is to change your gameplay up. We absolutely love the new features that online bingo offers, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about the traditional bingo hall.
When you can’t be bothered to go out and get out of your pyjamas, go for the online variety. If your mind has been racing all week, stay at home and let auto daubing help you keep track of the numbers. Want to socialise in person? Enjoy decor from the 60s and 70s? The bingo halls of old will always be there to welcome you.
The point is this: neither is better than the other. They each have their place. Enjoy bingo in every format that’s on offer!