For those who are new to Bingo, a Bingo caller is the person who calls out the numbers printed on Bingo balls as the balls are drawn. Though that sounds routine and mechanical, it is the ability of a Bingo caller to call numbers in an interesting and engaging way, that makes the game interesting. People enjoy the style of a Bingo caller so much that they elevate them to the status of a hero, celebrity or role-model.

A Bingo caller actually runs the show in a Bingo event. After all Bingo is all about numbers, isn’t it? As a Bingo caller is always at the center of attraction, Bingo clubs and websites organize several events involving celebrities.

Celebrities are only too happy to join in as a participant, a Bingo caller, a chat host or as a guest. Celebrities are also seen taking on the role of a Bingo caller when a Bingo event is organized for charity, awareness or to support a cause. Celebrities from sports, politics, silver screen, music and politics have been known to take part in Bingo events.

Music manager, Sharon Osbourne, American actor David Arquette and British TV star Alison Hammond are some celebrities who have called Bingo numbers in the past. Sometimes online Bingo sites offer recordings of celebrities’ voices doing the calling and players can pick the celebrity voice that they want!

However, it is not all glitz and glamor. The job of a Bingo caller can be very challenging indeed. Not only do callers have to keep track of the numbers called, they have to keep players happy by repeating numbers when required. They also need to crosscheck claims made by players to see if the numbers called have indeed been daubed on the winner’s Bingo card. They have to avoid confusion, resolve issues if there are multiple claims to the prize and of course. They also have to give away the gifts or money in a cordial manner, though it may be the Bingo cashier who actually handles the cash. All of this while ensuring there is  fun and enjoyment during the course of the Bingo game.

Usually, Bingo clubs hire full time callers, but there are clubs who hire part time callers, and some even hire callers on “event-basis.” It’s a good job if you want to go for it –take a call.

There are many professional Bingo callers out there who have done Bingo calling every day for many many years! So much so that there is a contest in the UK to name the best caller. More on that soon. Watch this space!

Whether or not Scottish singing sensation, Susan Boyle has ever tried her hand at Bingo — or betting for that matter —punters are wagering millions of pounds on her. If they are right, she is likely to walk away with the £ 100,000 prize amount on the Britain’s Got Talent show aired by ITV. When Boyle mustered the courage to audition for the show, she took a gamble alright. We cannot claim she would have stood such a strong chance, say in a game of online Bingo!

The stakes are high now. Giving her competition is Welsh-wonder Jamie Pugh who has just surfaced with his terrific rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’, from the musical Les Misérables. For those of you are not in-the-know, Boyle’s superb singing of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the same musical, sparked off the Boylemania online –with more than 100 million views of her video on YouTube.

It reminds us of the Bingo mania that has swept across the world, especially the online Bingo world.

Some of it is true, some of it is hype. Just as it is with online Bingo. Speaking of Bingo, one of the most truthful accolades Susan Boyle got was from the local bingo caller at the community center where Boyle has volunteered. “We’re all tired of 23-year-old models trying to sing on TV. Susan is a 47-year-old spinster who, by God, can sing,” 64-year-old Michael Nicolson, says in The Washington Post.

Apparently, Susan Boyle has not been employed for long. A small-town lady, she visited church, took care of her Mom till she died and only had a cat, Pebbles for company. She was often spotted at the Bingo hall, minding the brownies and petty cash, or sat by the dartboard at the Happy Valley Hotel in Blackburn, waiting for her turn at karaoke.

There is a reason why ‘Simple Susie’ has become such a legend. Boyle, is the embodiment of the American Dream. Most Americans believe in the rags-to-riches story or the tale of ugly duckling which turned into a swan. Now, there is just one more thing that can make than happen. You know it is Bingo, don’t you ? A simple game, where all you have to do is buy some tickets with numbers on it and hope that you are the lucky one whose numbers are called. If you do daub those numbers off your ticket, you win money! Go on, take a bet…unless you can sing, and sing well! Like Boyle does.

I like Bingo. I live Bingo. I eat Bingo and I breathe Bingo! Yes, I am a Bingo addict. And my addiction is not restricted to the game alone. It is not about winning money either. I have to try my luck on every new pattern introduced, I have to visit each and every online Bingo site –though I am a loyal player only at 123Bingoonline.com! And over the years, I have also developed a huge appetite for Bingo facts, trivia, events and equipment. I love Bingo so much that I have become a brand ambassador-of-sorts for the game. I never, never lose an opportunity to share Bingo tidbits. So here goes:

• The biggest Bingo event in history took place at the Teaneck Armory in New York with approximately 60,000 players in the 1930s. 10,000 aspiring players had to be turned away at the gate. Ten cars were given away as prizes. ( The picture above, courtesy, www.teaneck.org fills me with nostalgia!)

• Do you know how many Bingo card combinations are possible?  A recent estimate says there are  52,446,474,061,128,648,601,600,000 possible bingo card combinations.

• The first game of Bingo aimed at raising money was played at a church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The funds helped the Parish resolve its financial problems.

• It is a commonly held belief among Bingo players that women players with the name “Margaret” and men who are named “Joe” are more likely to win!

• Toy salesman Edwin S. Lowe introduced the game of Bingo as “Lowe’s Bingo” to the masses. His newly formed toy company, E.S. Lowe Company would have folded up had Bingo not become such a success.

• On an average, a Bingo game lasts just 3 to 6 minutes.

• The average speed of a British bingo caller is 23 numbers per minute. Caller competitions are held annually in the UK.

• Over three million people play online Bingo regularly.

• A recent study reveals that roughly 80% of male online Bingo players are lazy and dodge household activities.

• The number one reason why people play Bingo is entertainment. Winning money is way down the list, at fifth place.

What happened last week in England turns out to be another attempt to lower the taxes enforced on land-based Bingo halls. Will it yield any better results South Shields MP David Miliband, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and a Bingo enthusiast himself, played the role of a Bingo caller. The  Bingo show was a huge success and many think that it will shape public opinion against the high incidence of taxes on Bingo halls.

According to media reports, MP Miliband said, “…A number of important issues have been raised, and I will be taking these back to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.” He was responding to a presentation on the hefty taxes that Bingo halls have to pay. “However, I think I’ll be sticking to my day job,” he chuckled, “and leaving the calling to the experts.”

As of now, land-based Bingo halls pay 15% VAT and a gross 15% taxes on their total revenues. It’s a good thing that MP Miliband is not the only government official who is aware of this problem regarding double tax. Would-be Tory MP Karen Allen, Conservative parliamentary candidate for South Shield, also visited an Bingo club recently. She also agreed that the 30% tax on Bingo is not helping clubs to bloom.

We do understand the problems faced by the offline Bingo industry. With the government rejecting their pleas repeatedly, perhaps the solution lies online.