The cultural diversity of Bingo

Introduction/History of Bingo

Hello everyone I am Melissa Flores and my category of play that I am contributing information about is board and card games around the world. This category is quite interesting because there are many card and board games that are similar, but have been adapted into various cultures in a different way. A great example of this is traditional American Bingo and the Mexican version called "Loteria" Before I begin discussing some keys differences between the two versions, it is first important to mention some of the historical facts about this widely known game. First, where was bingo invented? Well according to an article published by South West News Service (an independent UK news source) bingo is historically traced back to Italy where it derives from an Italian lottery game called ‘Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia” which has been played in Italy since the 1530’s. Also mentioned in the article, the game was introduced to France in the 1770’s and later spread to the UK. The traditional American version of the game became popular in U.S carnivals in the 1920’s. What I find interesting is that the American bingo we so popularly play today was adapted from other known versions from Europe countries. And in that same way American bingo was adapted in Mexico and is called “Loteria”, the concept of the game has remained almost the same yet it has been alternated by cultures throughout the world.

American Bingo  

To play the American version of bingo you need a set of 75 balls with a number 1-75 on each ball, a ball cage or machine, playing cards that display the letters B-I-N-G-O at the top and a number 1-75 in each box in the card with the exception of the middle box which is a “free” space, and you would need plastic chips as markers or a marker pen. The game consist of someone to use the ball cage to randomly generate a ball at a time with a number and a letter from bingo (for example B7 or G52) and the players mark the boxes on their card that constant the numbers called. The gist of the game is to get a row or line of five numbers marked and the first person or people to yell bingo to win the round. In order to have a valid win the line could be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.

 

Loteria/ Mexican Bingo

            The game of loteria is like American bingo, a game of chance. To play loteria you need the game kit that comes with a deck of 54 cards with a different images, significant of Mexican culture, printed on each card with a corresponding number from 1-54 printed on each card. The game kit also includes large game board cards that have 24 images printed on them randomly of the respective 54 images on the deck of cards. You would then use just need any small items as markers, it is common for people in Mexico to use uncooked pinto beans or dry corn kernels called “maiz” as markers on their game boards. To play the game one person is chosen the card reader and this person is in charge of calling a card at a time of the deck of shuffled cards. The players need to mark the images called on the game board until they fill the entire card or the pattern chosen at the start of the round. In loteria unlike in American bingo the 5 in a line is not only way to play, in loteria players jointly can choose a different specific card pattern to play each. For example, as a group for round one all the players can agreed that to win they have to fill all four corners of the card and in that case for that round the first player to mark all four corners on his or hers card wins and shouts “Loteria”. For round two they players as a group might agree that for that round the person who marks all the outer boxes on their game board wins and so on.

 

Experience Playing both Versions

            In my experience playing both version I personally enjoyed Loteria better because the rounds were shorter and the anticipation to win seemed more intense. The comparison between these two versions of the same game show how culture has a great effect on the adaptation of traditions in this case games from other areas or cultures. Today there are many different version of bingo in different countries and the rules and game are a representation of the nation or culture.