Have you heard the song, And Bingo Was Her Name-o? It’s been a hot topic here this week. My friends and I used to party every weekend without fail. Monday to Thursday were about working or studying, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights were all about getting dressed up, dancing and having fun. We’d frequently sing silly songs, including Bingo Was Her Name-o.
Every Friday night, we’d assemble at my house, drink, get ready and laugh about our recent adventures. We’d go out, dance, laugh some more and then crash out at my house afterwards.
We’d spend the next morning feeling rough, then go and do it all over again on Saturday night, and usually Sunday afternoon as well.
THEN WE HAD KIDS! Now I sing Bingo Was Her Name-o to them!
Now, we are lucky if we manage to sort childcare for one evening out a month. So that’s usually “spent” on a trip to the local bingo hall.
I opened my email inbox today and the first subject line to catch my eye said, “Find out what the top bingo sites are“. Ten years ago, I’d have deleted that email and laughed about it with my friends as we got ready to party. Today, I forwarded it to them. Seriously. What has happened to me?!
We used to laugh about my parents getting dressed up for a night at the bingo. Now we’re once a month, regulars. I remember singing “and bingo was her name-o” about my mum…. I play more than she does these days!
Now…. Do I take this realisation on the chin and proudly flash my bingo membership cards to the world? Or do I pretend I’m still down with the kids and dust off my dancing shoes? (I may have to wait a few months to actually wear them though… My best friend is 9 months pregnant and I suspect she will disown me if I go out dancing without her)!
Until then…. Maybe I’ll set up an online girls’ night in – Pyjamas, hot chocolate and some online bingo while we laugh our socks off… Who says bingo’s boring?
Do you Play Bingo?
My mum had two huge wins at our local Gala club in the ’90s – think life changing amounts. Sadly, she was an addict and put it all back in – and more. I learnt from her mistakes and only ever go to bingo for a fun night out with friends. I never spend money I don’t have, and I always quit when I’m ahead.
I won £500 in 2002 – the week I turned 18, no less. After that, I didn’t set foot in a bingo hall again until I was 24. So if you’re considering trying bingo for the first time, please learn from my Mum’s mistakes and always gamble responsibly.
My friends and I love going once a month on a Sunday night. We sort the kids out, then leave their dads in charge before heading out. We don’t drink as we all have work / kids to wrangle on Monday morning, but we still have great fun. It’s a lovely way to spend a few hours, catch up with friends and potentially win a few quid in the process. Disclaimer: I haven’t won a penny since 2002, but my friends have been slightly luckier!
Do you Share Your Bingo Winnings?
One thing that is super important to decide before the games begin is who you’re sharing with, (if anyone). My friends and I always agree to share, as that’s always what my mum did. She won £10,000 in 1991, and had to give half to her friend. My mum spent her half within a year, while her friend went on to buy a house… I know which one of them had the right idea!
My mum then went on her own in 1995, when she won £81,000! Back then that was enough to buy several terraced houses, which my Dad wanted her to do. He was a joiner and wanted to buy a fixer upper, so he could renovate it then sell it for a profit, or rent it out for a reliable income. Sadly, my mum’s gambling addiction and party girl attitude won out, and no investments were made. It was all gone within 2 years.
Gamble Responsibly
So there you have it! My take on Bingo. As I have already said, if you plan to play, PLEASE learn from my mum’s mistakes, and gamble responsibly!
