Bingo balls are the numbered balls used in bingo games. These balls are multi-colored and are numbered and lettered. Numbers on each ball range from 1 to 75 and the letters on each ball are the letters in BINGO.
Bingo balls are all color coded according to their reflected letters and numbers. Generally, balls marked with letter B and numbers 1 – 15 are red, those marked with I 16 – 30 are blue, N 31 – 45 are yellow, bingo balls marked with G 46 – 60 are green and O 61 – 75 are purple. Ball colors may vary in different bingo halls and online versions of the game.
The purpose of the bingo ball is to select the numbers for bingo games. The balls are randomly selected to ensure that the order is varied.
In land-based games, bingo balls are placed in a special cage, which spins the balls and randomly releases one at a time. The caller calls the ball numbers as they come out from the cage. Players then mark off the numbers if they appear on their bingo cards. As soon as a ball has been used once, it is placed aside in a special tray to ensure that it is not put back into the cage. Electronic screens reflect the ball numbers selected as the caller calls each one.
In online bingo the bingo balls are mixed by the computer. There is also a caller, who calls the balls as they each appear on the screen. Players do not need to mark off their cards, as the computer automatically marks cards as soon as it spots a match. An online bingo board helps players keep track of the balls that have already been called.
Many bingo players are superstitious about the numbers on their winning bingo balls. Many feel that this is a matter of luck rather than random coincidence. If a player bingo’s on ball number B51, 51 may become their lucky number. In some instances, a player may bingo on numbers relating to their lucky number, such as 5 or 1 for example. There is no proof that lucky numbers actually do bring players luck, but this could encourage them to think positively, which in turn has an affect on their luck.
From bingo halls to online bingo games, these small balls hold the key to a players winning number. It all comes down to luck and coincidence however, as bingo is a game of chance.
By Mary Weber
Mary Weber has been an online bingo fanatic for over 7 years. She has written many informative and original articles for the website Online-Bingo.net including information on bingo balls.