One of the activities that the resort we stayed at in Mahabaleshwar, on our recent vacation – was playing bingo for fun (bingo is also referred to as tambola and housie in India). Every evening the resort organizes bingo for the guests, mostly outdoors. I wasn’t able to get a good photograph, but this was where it took place. Nice location, right?
Playing Bingo For Fun
Add some chilled out folks, some kids, a very animated organizer and a bonfire and it was fun. But most of all, it made me realize just how much I enjoy playing bing0. The suspense of waiting, the hoping, the sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for that one number to be called!
While playing bingo for fun, I began to think if the concentration, the listening for numbers, the excitement was a great way to keep your mind alert! So I went off to do some research on it and here’s what I found.
How a simple bingo game every now and again can help
In a national study in Britain for the AARP, Gretchen Anderson said that just over one-third of middle-aged survey respondents reported being lonely, with two-thirds of the respondents saying that they have no specific reason for feeling this way. Loneliness is something that everybody feels from time to time, but it seems as though the feeling becomes amplified when we reach our 40s.
While this loneliness can often be alleviated by doing household chores and spending time with your family, it might also be a good idea to take up a new hobby — one that introduces you to new people, and allows for great opportunities for socialization but doesn’t wear you out too much. If you have yet to find the perfect hobby, then you may want to try to play a few rounds of bingo.
Bingo is often touted as an old person’s game, but don’t let that dissuade you from trying out your local bingo hall. In recent years, bingo has seen a great increase in popularity in younger audiences, particularly because of the evolution it has undergone. As the BBC reports, online bingo has become something of a full house. Players claim that this is mostly because of the sense of community that online bingo brings to the table. Communities are one of the most important parts in online bingo, and most players stay because of engaging chat hosts and competitions on social media, where players can chat with others and swap stories while playing.
There are also so many different kinds of people playing bingo. In Chicago, Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan hosts monthly bingo nights, attracting young people and hipsters who’ve never played the game before. There are also several different kinds of bingo now, and the old image of bingo as played in a silent bingo hall with a bored bingo caller speaking in a drone has long been replaced by lively crowds entertained by a droll bingo host.
You’d be surprised how much keeping busy can help you, especially when you keep busy doing something fun like playing bingo.
Oh Bingo!!! I remember once in Shimla they used to play Bingo too.. and it was so much fun. The most I remember is that everytime there was a draw between two people the organiser ..a sweet simple young lad, used to say…”Good. it is divide by 50:50″
This is one game that connects people of all ages.
Shiva recently posted..Greatest Love of All
Oh the organizer at Mahabaleshwar had some funny phrases too! Such fun.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..April Come She Will #AtoZChallenge
Last fall a group of friends and I went to – get this – Drag Queen Bingo! Yes, it was an evening of bingo with the numbers being called by a drag queen in full regalia. It was absolutely hilarious, and a ton of fun (though admittedly not for everyone)!
Laurel Regan recently posted..Blogging from A to Z Challenge: On your mark, get set…
Oh that must have been hilarious, Laurel! Someone here might borrow the idea, I’m thinking! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
Growing up, we played bingo all the time and loved it. This makes me want to get back in the game, so to speak. 🙂
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted..Eternal Life
Oh yes, there’s something so easy about it, isn’t there, Martha? You’ve been in my thoughts.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
I wasn’t even aware of online bingo!! Bingo is an easy game which makes it perfect for large mixed gatherings, like a family get-together. The location in the photo looks perfect, the bonfire must have really added to the fun!
Fab recently posted..CouponzGuru: A Place to get the Best Restaurant Deals Online in India
Neither was I until I did some ‘research’, Fab. Yes, it was fun.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Bloglovin’
One more reason to play Bingo!
Proactive Indian recently posted..Believe it or not! IPL-type Pro Kabaddi League!
Did you want one, Pro? 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Ohh I just love Bingo. So much that we used to play it all the time in class and now, SR and I play whenever we get the time. You just added more reason and logic as to why we should keep playing 😉 😀
Bhavya recently posted..Daniel’s Diary ~ Book Review
Now I’m wondering how two people can play, Bhavya. Or do you go to an organized one? I’m dying to get back in the game too!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
Bingo….one of my favorites!
I didn’t realize how many of us like it, Michelle! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Queen of My Own Life
I love to play Bingo!! It is so much fun and often when we go camping during the summer months the campground offers Bingo games for everyone to join in. Sometimes for candy. LOL that and the promise of maybe winning chocolate. YUM
Kathy Combs recently posted..Acceptance
Oh that sounds like fun alright, Kathy. And really what the prize is doesn’t matter – it’s the thrill of winning, right?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
I think bingo is a great way to make a group of friends. I am so surprised to hear Billy Corgan is hosting bingo games!
Chai a Cup of Life recently posted..Peaches and Cream Lassi
It is, Amelia! And yes, isn’t that funny about Billy Corgan?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
This reminds me of the RSI days when the whole family would go for a game of tambola on a Sunday. It also meant unlimited chicken kebabs and cool drinks that you could consume 🙂
Pratibha recently posted..Ways to live differently {Life Mantras}
Oh yes, Pratibha. The RSI used to be fun. We lived opposite the RSI Bolarum when I was about 7 – and got hooked to Tambola! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
Oooh I love Housie too! We play bingo every year on Saee’s and now Sayalee’s birthday, and it makes me really happy to see the kids all excited and having fun 😀
Gauri recently posted..Resurrection
The best part about it is that it cuts across generations, right? I can imagine the children squealing with delight!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
oh you have no idea! My house sounds like a cricket stadium! hahaha
Haven’t been to a bingo hall for ages. Not long ago I double my money playing the slot machine.
Looking forward to A to Z challenge.
Thanks for visiting. Coffee is on
peppylady (Dora) recently posted..Last Call
I haven’t tried the slot machines, Dora. I’d be a little afraid of getting addicted! 😉 Thanks for the offer of coffee, I’ll be back for some! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 3
It’s a BINGO!!!
Anuprabha recently posted..A Smelly experience
My mother used to enjoy a good game of Bingo with her group of friends…twice a month. I still remember how her face used to light up when she would recount the thrill. Reading this brings back the memory of her bright, shining face so clearly in my eyes…thanks Corinne for this post 🙂
Beloo Mehra recently posted..Talk is Cheap
Who says Bingo is a a game for the elderly? I love it. Especially when I win a prize 😀
Games or activity in general keep us going, mentally and physically. Bingo often becomes our favourites at get togethers too 😀
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