All Bingo Club

Going Bingoing

Last night was my BINGO night. I usually attend a BINGO night about twice or three times a month. My wife and I enjoy our nights out very much. It is always great fun to go out together. I remember the times I used to go to BINGO alone and it was not half as fun as enjoying the game together. There is something exciting about going to BINGO together and in fact one of our first dates involved a BINGO game. Although the race at the game is a competitive one, somehow this competitiveness does not promote antagonism. One might expect there to be a measure of antagonism that might develop against the winner as is sometimes seen in other races but for some reason, in BINGO, that is not the case. There is a sort of group feeling that at least someone has won and hurray for him! The same holds for my wife and myself. Although we each get our own BINGO cards and we do view it as a sort of competition, there is no risk of a negative feeling of competitiveness developing. Rather we are racing together and each encourages the other to score.

Mutual Fun 

 

I think that it is this mutual fun that is what makes the bingo game so popular as a social event. The game involves a certain measure of competitiveness while the absolute randomness assures us that no animosity will develop. Thus, people can play excitedly, compete against one another and still develop fast friendships that will endure the results of the game. I discussed this particular theory with several of my friends and they have all agreed that it makes a lot of sense. They have also all agreed that at many other games they have seen animosity develop. Often this was because people had strategies that they hoped to use and another had bested them. This just doesn't happen at BINGO.

A Special Experience

In my last blog entry I described the special experience of the intense bingo game. It is true that it requires a lot of concentration to be able to handle and enjoy this sort of experience but there is no doubt that it is enjoyable. In fact, I have even rethought the issue and I would like to add some extra measure of understanding that has recently dawned on me. I have decided to share this insight with you. Of course, anyone who has shared similar thoughts or experiences is welcome to comment!

Bingo Meditation

I have realized that the special feeling that accompanies more intense bingo playing is actually a form of meditation. Truly, when one dwells upon it, there are indeed many parallels and the special sense of attunement with the bingo cards is certainly akin to the heightened awareness that at times accompanies meditation. Yet, there are ways in which bingo meditation is superior to simple meditation. First, there is the suspense of the game. No simple session of meditation can possibly recreate such suspense as develops in an intensive bingo game. Second, there is the chance of winning great cash prizes. No matter how hard one meditates there is no way he can possibly ever actually win anything. In bingo that is simply not the case. These two elements combine beautifully to create a bingo meditation experience that know no rivals.

Future Plans

As soon as this insight dawned upon me, I realized that I would have to meditate more on the subject. Of course what better way to meditate than at the next bingo game? Fortunately, I am scheduled to attend a particularly big event tomorrow night. If anyone of you readers knows of the event I am talking about... See you there! I'll be happy to take comments face to face as well...

My Previous Opinions

In my previous blog I described the fact although some people (who are not 'hard core' bingo players) might view the more intense bingo players as gamblers or people with a gambling streak, my friend claimed that this is often not the case. In order to understand what he meant, I took it upon myself to try just such a bingo game session and see what it is like. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long for my next session.  I can now report what it was like.

A Whole New Playing Experience 

First of all, my modest winnings for this more intense session were slightly higher than I usually score at my bingo games but that might have simply been the smile of Lady Luck. I can certainly tell that there is something special and unique in the experience of sitting opposite all those cards, locked in intense concentration. I admit that the social event lost some of its importance in the face of those cards. The social event became a sort of backdrop for something far more exciting and intense. I did feel that I and the other more serious players were somehow enjoying a special comradeship of champions. Thus, the game still retained important  social elements. I could see what my friend was talking about! There was something special in playing so intensely. I could see that this was certainly an experience that I could find myself doing again, some other time.  I do prefer the more laid back, fewer cards bingo but I could now identify with those more intense players and I might even be joining them in the future every once in a while just for a change of pace. I guess I have my friend to thank for this insight.

Two Styles

There are generally two styles of bingo players. There are those who purchase one or two cards per bingo event and see the main enjoyment from the crowd and the socializing. For them, the brief excitement of the bingo competition is a sort of background for the social event. On the other hand, there are the so called 'hard core' bingo players who purchase several bingo cards and stare intently at them throughout the bingo game attentively following every number that is drawn. These people might win more, more often yet they seem to be missing something from the bingo experience. At least, so I thought until I made a fascinating discovery...

Personal Experience

In truth, I always identified myself with the first sort of bingo players. Although not a social shark, the fun of meeting people and pleasantly socializing with a bingo race in the background appealed to me and I personally found it difficult to understand those previously described 'hard core' bingo players. What was holding their so intent fascination that their investments held for them more interest than the world around them? I admit that I was perplexed. Consequently, I went to ask a friend of mine what is the secret (I will not mention this friend by name but many of you probably know him...). He tried to explain and after failing several times, he eventually suggested that I try it for myself and see what it feels like. Since there is nothing like trying something for yourself, his suggestion sounds very reasonable. That is why I have decided that what I am going to do is; I am going to try his advice and tell you what it was like. I hope that I will have something to report for my next blog entry, so stay tuned!
 

A Fresh Start

I have taken upon myself to maintain this bingo blog. I think that bingo has a lot to offer us and is an incredibly fun form of entertainment. I also recognize the importance of bingo as a social game and I shall attempt to address such issues in my blog. As this is my bingo blog, I can write whatever I feel like and I  will certainly do so. Since I perceive myself as an interesting person with fascinating ideas I hope that readers will enjoy reading what I have to say. Of course, people are welcome to comment and share their opinions with me and my readers. Sometimes, I may even answer them (although I can't make any promises). Even if I don't, the opinions of others are always highly valued.

Bingo the Game

Just to make things clear and to ascertain that we are all talking about the same thing, I will briefly describe the game of bingo. Bingo games consist of boards with the letters BINGO printed on top. Each letter heads a column of five numbers (or other characters). Every board has a different arrangement and collection of numbers. These numbers are marked off as they are called in random order (usually this is determined by random drawing). The objective is to be the first to score a row of five marked off numbers before any of the other players. Bingo often serves as a community fund raising tool and thus is often played in churches, schools and other similar respectable institutions. Bingo games enjoy a special place in the heart of many people and are thus an ideal subject for a continuous blog. I hope you will enjoy reading my blog and will find some benefit and enrichment from the insights and tales that I shall unfold before you.