What’s the difference between bingo and beano?
whotoblame asked:
Is it just the spelling, or are the rules of play different as well?
Answer
Bingo and beano are both games that involve matching numbers on cards, but they have different origins and histories.
Beano is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It was played with dried beans and cardboard sheets with numbered grids on them. The game got its name because players would cover the numbers on their cards with beans, and when they won, they would shout “beano!” instead of “bingo!” to signal their victory.
Bingo, on the other hand, has its roots in Italy in the 16th century. The game was called “Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia” and was played with cards and numbered balls. The modern version of bingo that we know today was popularized in the United States in the 1920s.
In terms of gameplay, both bingo and beano involve players matching numbers on cards to those called out by a caller. However, there are some differences in the rules and gameplay.
In beano, players have a card with nine numbers on it. The caller draws numbers from a bag or basket and calls them out one by one. The first player to cover all the numbers on their card with beans and shout “beano!” wins the game.
In bingo, players have a card with a grid of five rows and five columns. The columns are labeled with the letters B-I-N-G-O, and the numbers on the card correspond to the letters. The caller draws numbered balls at random and calls them out, and players mark their cards accordingly. The first player to get five numbers in a row, column, or diagonal yells “bingo!” and wins the game.
In summary, while bingo and beano are both games that involve matching numbers on cards, they have different origins, histories, and rules of play.