Where to Play and Win Bingo in the Hudson Valley

Introduction

If you thought that bingo was dead and buried, think again. The game of chance with roots in the 16th-century Italian lottery – Il Gioco del Lotto D’Italia, is not only kicking but thriving.

Though bingo has Italian origins, it spreading to France under the name Le Lotto in the 18th century firmly established it as one of Europe’s premium forms of lottery gambling. In the early 20th century, it managed to get a foothold in Britain, and by the 1940s, there were bingo games throughout North America.

The specific history of the game’s name remains a bit muddy, but legend has it that it comes from a mispronunciation of the carnival game called Beano, which is the form in which the US got introduced to this pastime. Regardless of how this entertainment/gaming option got its name, it is now a staple throughout the state of New York and Hudson Valley. Therefore, in this article, we will cover the following:

• How does the game of bingo work?
• How do you win at bingo?
• What are the luckiest bingo numbers?
• How to play bingo online?
• Where can I play bingo near me in Hudson Valley?

How to Play and Win at Bingo

What is the trick of bingo? How do you play it?

Well, ­­bingo is a ticketed game that utilizes cards that have grids with numbers on them. Usually twenty-five figures from one to seventy-five per card. A host spins numbered balls in a lottery-style machine, drawing them at random. The goal is to be the first player who crosses five adjacent numbers on a card, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Once that happens, you can yell out – BINGO, and claim a prize.

Bingo is entirely lucked-based. There is nothing you can do to affect game results. That said, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that you are not hindering your chances of walking away from a hall as a winner. These are:

• Use the Granville strategy. It entails picking cards with an equal number of low and high numbers and an equal number of even and odd numbers.
• Try the Tippet approach. Meaning, if you are playing a 75-ball bingo game, look for cards that have numbers clustered at one and seventy-five instead of closer to the median of thirty-eight.
• Look for jackpot games. These offer an extra incentive to play, and they may turn out to be substantially more profitable if Lady Luck is on your side.
• Buy more cards. The more combinations you have in play, the better odds you face.

Even though one of the chief allures of this game is that you experience its thrills in a hall with dozens of other people, which gives it a communal and competitive flavor, playing it over the internet can be just as fun. The best online bingo sites offer many rule variations, and they allow you to play it at speeds substantially faster than what you would encounter in physical establishments. 

Best Bingo Halls in the Hudson Valley

Despite many considering it a popular form of social entertainment, since bingo involves players engaging in monetary exchanges, the law thinks of it as gambling. Thankfully, in The Empire State, bingo is legal, and New York residents have been enjoying it at various establishments statewide since its inception. It often gets ranked as either charitable or class 2 gambling.

Note that because of this nature and perception of the game, it most commonly gets enjoyed at churches, recreational centers, veteran associations, and similar spots. The number of dedicated bingo halls is not vast. Therefore, do not expect to find many in Hudson Valley and New York state in general. Those that do exists are modest locales that only feature the bare essentials.

According to most lottery enthusiasts, the best three places to enjoy bingo fun in Hudson Valley are:

• Celtic Hall Bingo – Located on New Karner Road in Albany, Celtic Bingo Hall is a part of the Capital District Celtic Cultural Association. It hosts regular games on Fridays and Sundays, allowing the use of handheld computers. However, you will need to call and inquire about the costs associated with playing here. These vary depending on whether you are using a computer or playing with paper. Of course, the monetary session limits also get factored in. The standard one is a total of$6,000 per night. Due to COVID-19 health measures, admission to this hall gets limited to fifty people per event. Therefore, it is best to reserve a spot in advance.
• 231st BINGO – 231st BINGO straddles the line of the Hudson Valley, but since it has such an excellent reputation, we thought we should include it. You can find it in the Bronx, Kingsbridge. It continuously runs events, with doors usually opening at around 4 PM and the game starting at 7 PM on weekdays. On weekends, start times are at noon on Saturdays and 3 PM on Sundays. The recently renovated hall now features new wireless computers. The staff often gets complimented for their courteous disposition, and the venue itself is super clean.
• The Joseph E. Zaloga Post – The Joseph E. Zaloga Post is a veterans’ organization located just off exit 5 of Route 90 in Albany. It has been operational since 1946 and is a part of the American Legion. The post hosts excellent Friday night bingo events with prize pools that go into several thousand dollars. The locale’s hall has adequate air conditioning, and it serves refreshments. Patrons must be over eighteen to enter it and must pre-register by phone.

Where to Play Online Bingo

As mentioned, internet bingo is a massive phenomenon that appeared once online casinos began to get some steam with widespread internet and smartphone adoption. If you are wondering – what is the best online bingo site to use, here are what we believe are the top three options out there:

• Las Atlantis – Las Atlantis is a novel gaming platform that offers a unique bingo variation called Bonus BINGO. The site also greets new players with a bonus that can yield up to $14,000 in free-play funds. Its promo code is LASATLANTIS.
• Wild Casino – Wild Casino is an established internet gaming hub that betting juggernaut Commission.bz operates. Wild provides a range of lottery-style wagering options, and its five deposit sign-up package can supply up to $5,000 in bonus cash. Its two coupon codes are WILD250 and WILD100.
• El Royale – El Royal is a platform that emulates Las Atlantis in many aspects. Thus, it also offers Bonus Bingo and has a sizeable registration deal on hand. Its welcome promotion is a four-part one, involving a series of bonus codes, of which the first one is TRUEROYAL. It max potential is $12,500.

To Wrap Up

If you are on the lookout for an excellent place to dab numbers on a card in Hudson Valley, try the three establishments listed above. You can also check with a local charitable organization to see if they host regular bingo events. If you do not want to leave your home but still want to partake in some bingo fun, visit one of the sites mention in this article.

About the Author

Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by Safest Betting Sites. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.