Bingo is a game often played with a large number of people in halls or other venues. People are either given or purchase cards of 5 X 5 grids that have 25 total numbers on them. Each grid section has a number that is usually paired with letters that run across the top of the grid. A caller pulls out cards or uses bingo balls to call out each number. The players mark their spaces if they have the letter/number combination on their bingo grid card. The goal of bingo is to be the first to get five numbers in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. When a person gets the five numbers, he or she shouts out “BINGO” and may be rewarded with prizes or money, or simply the satisfaction of winning.

^Bingo can be a child’s game, but it is much more common as a gambling game used to earn money for charitable organizations. Many churches offer bingo nights once weekly and some players attend these more religiously than they do Sunday services. People often purchase more than one grid card for each bingo game to increase their chances of winning. In this setting winners usually receive money if they are the first to get a bingo, and can call it out before someone else does.