Swindon plays bingo the rock ‘n’ roll way

By Staff Reporter - 8 February 2017

Sport

Not so long ago, the only way to play a game of bingo was to head to a local branch of Mecca or Gala Bingo or because you happened to be at a school fundraiser and the organisers had borrowed a set of bingo balls. Today, it’s a different story, with bingo being played in numerous formats by people of all ages, and from all walks of life. via GIPHY The fact that there’s been such a revival and renewed uptake of bingo is largely due to the game going online in the late 1990s, and really taking off in the noughties. Before that, anyone who wanted to play bingo had to make a special effort to go somewhere to play it. Now, you can play on numerous different sites on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Bingo has become something that you can do for five minutes while you’re waiting for an appointment or to meet a friend. You can play it while you’re cooking the dinner or watching TV as there’s no need for concentration during the game. Many of the younger people who play bingo will have had their first taste of the game on online bingo sites where the schedule runs 24/7. Although it’s a really easy game to play, new players at Sun Bingo can play for free up to four hours a day in the Learner Room during their first week. Such moves have helped attract new players as they provide solutions for those who weren't sure they'd know what to do when they first start playing. Online bingo is low-cost entertainment that could lead to a great cash prize every time you play - it’s little wonder it’s so popular. Online Bingo’s Boosted the Land-based Game The curious thing is that the game’s online success has led to the land-based version becoming fashionable again. While you can still play in a traditional bingo hall, there are other formats of the game too. Rock 'n' Roll Bingo is one such example. It’s a type of bingo that’s taking popping up in pubs and social clubs nationwide, and the pubs of Swindon have bee quick to embrace it. The game’s played in just the same way as bingo, but with bursts of songs instead of numbers. Rock 'n' Roll Bingo players’ cards feature a mixture of song titles and artists’ names, and once the game begins, 15-20 second clips of well-known songs are played. As you hear a tune you recognise, you mark its name or the artist on your bingo card. As with traditional bingo, the first person to mark off every square on their cards wins.

So where can you enjoy a game of Rock 'n' Roll Bingo in the Swindon area? • At The Baker’s Arms in Upper Stratton, Rock 'n' Roll Bingo games are held once a fortnight. With an entry fee of £2, the game is a great opportunity to demonstrate your musical knowledge and beat your fellow players to the prizes. • The game’s also played at The Crown in Stratton on the last Thursday of every month. Tickets cost a fiver and it’s worth booking ahead, which you can do via the pub’s website. • On the last Friday each month at The Sun Inn in Coate, everyone in the pub gets their eyes down and ears open to play Rock 'n' Roll Bingo with Ocky Disc Jockey starting the game off at 9pm • At the Tawny Owl at Taw Hill in Swindon, punters tune in to win at Rock 'n' Roll Bingo at 9pm on the last Friday of every month, playing for cash prizes. Win or lose, you can dance off any excess energy at the disco that follows the game. • The Harvester at the West Swindon District Centre also holds Rock 'n' Roll bingo nights on Thursdays and Sundays, so it’s fair to say that there are plenty of places you can get a fix of musical bingo game in Swindon.

 

A photo posted by Barney Evans (@barneyevans) on

Of course, Rock 'n' Roll bingo is just one of the latest bingo crazes. Another one’s the bingo rave event, such as those organised by Rebel Bingo and Bongo’s Bingo. These are alternative club nights with a bingo game playing a central part. The game’s played in the traditional way with paper and dabbers - but expect a lot of dancing, drinking and rather rude versions of the traditional bingo calls! The bingo rave circuit doesn’t currently include Swindon, but it’s surely only a matter of time....

Your Comments

Be the first to comment on this article

Login or Register to post a comment on this article

Subscribe to The Link

Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027, Positive Media Group, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BJ