The game of bingo is popular in many countries across the globe, including in Mexico. Bingo in Mexico, however, is somewhat different from the traditional bingo that we all know is a beloved game in the UK. That being said, Mexican-style bingo, called lotería, does share similarities with traditional bingo, or the UK style of play. Both styles are rooted in the Italian lottery Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia that inspired a variety of versions, first in France, then in Spain and the UK.
Different style, same premise
Mexican-style bingo and UK-style bingo (also known as 90-ball bingo) have the same premise: Complete a pattern on a game card. But as The Yucatan Times points out, playing lotería is visually and intellectually more engaging compared to playing UK-style bingo. The cards, for one, are made up of colorful images or pictograms — 16 in all, spread out evenly in a 4 by 4 grid — like a man carrying a globe (El Mundo), the Mexican flag (La Bandera), and a rose (La Rosa). In contrast, UK-style bingo cards contain a 9 by 3 grid, where a number is written in each column from 1 to 10 in the 1st column; 10 to 20 in the 2nd, and so on until 90.
Both styles are also similar in that they employ a caller, who calls out the numbers for UK-style bingo or the names of the pictograms for lotería. In the case of the former, the numbers are drawn out from a drum or generated electronically, whereas for the latter, the images are drawn from a deck of 54 cards. Players, meanwhile, mark on their cards the number or pictogram called, until one completes a pattern: usually four corners, horizontal lines, two lines, and full house for 90-ball bingo, and row, column, and diagonal for lotería.
Both styles, reimagined
Another parallel between Mexican-style and UK-style bingo is that both are being reimagined. Take, for instance, bingo in the UK, where the British love affair with the game is evolving. British journalist Sarah Butler from The Guardian notes how the game “has reinvented itself” to appeal to younger generations. For example, nightlife venues are now offering bingo, alongside other fun activities such as indoor crazy golf. Add to that the rise of technology, which has paved the way for online bingo. Case in point, the variety of virtual bingo rooms on Foxy Bingo such as 80 Matey or Foxy Hideaway showcases how the online version has mimicked the new concepts found in physical halls to become more creative and accessible. Both are crucial to bingo’s reinvention, and are two big reasons why it remains popular, especially in the UK.
The same is happening with lotería. The New York Times reports how there is now a for-millennials version of Mexican-style bingo, with the pictograms redesigned and renamed so they can be more relatable to younger players. In this version, for instance, the skull known as La Calavera is now El Gluten; the umbrella, El Paraguas, is now El Safe Space; and the bell, La Campana, is now El Notification. These changes seem to be working as Mexico’s younger generations are keeping the game relevant in today’s modern times.
That’s a great thing for Mexico. Lotería is one of the many interesting things about this beautiful country, along with delicious food, first-class accommodation, and lucha libre wrestlers. So, the next time you visit Mexico, make sure you play a game of lotería or two. You’ll enjoy your trip even more. For more advice on where to go and what to do in Latin American do look over our site.
COVER PHOTO: UK-style bingo card with markings. PHOTO: Pinterest