I was chatting in my local with some online bingo enthusiasts, and was surprised at the variety in the times that they played. Also the difference in the regularity with which they logged on each week.

While most people played every one or two days, a couple only found time to play once a week. But that once a week was usually at a set time... ring-fenced to make sure there was no disturbance from family, pets, no clash with favourite TV programmes, and with the telephone off the hook.  Susan said to me that her two hour slot each week was “sacrosanct”- her friends and family knew not to interrupt this time, or face her wrath! In fact a petite 5’3” you’d be forgiven for thinking she would have any wrath in het at all, but one of the others in the pub had seen her explode when her Bingo time had been broken by an unsolicited caller!  She explained over her V&T (Vodka & Tonic) that she settled down in her favourite chair, with her fluffy cushion, and with lap-top connected by Wi-Fi to the Internet, with her “comfort” items. These comfort items turned out to be crackers with cheese and pickle, crisps and peanuts, and a bottle of Chardonnay. She said this recreated the food and drink she used to have when she went out to land-based “live” Bingo!

In the atmosphere department, she had mood lighting (low, so as not to distract from the screen) and her favourite CDs- George Michael, Randy Crawford and Tom Jones!  Unusually, she said she didn’t actually engage much in chatting with other people while online. While she had one or two regulars who also played regularly at the same time each week she played, she preferred to have more of a solo Bingo experience, basking in her own personal atmosphere, and supping and chomping in her own world! Are other people out there like her?

She said that while she loved having a win now and then (and she said that on Bingo.co.uk she’d had a couple of reasonable-sized ones!) she didn’t mind not winning because of the relaxation her Bingo session brought her.  She said that after her session each week, she tidied her plate and glass away, and then had a shower and went to bed. She said that on the rare occasions she missed her regular online Bingo session, she didn’t feel as relaxed and it took her longer to get off to sleep.

Well everyone’s  different, so good luck to you Susan, and to all the other players out there, whether you too have a personal and private online experience like Susan or not!