You will remember from the last article that the other main planks of attack against bingo from my non-Bingo playing chums were that it was "gambling without skill", "only for Grannies", "was fixed" and "for the lower classes". Here I continue my robust defence of Bingo:

The allegation that it is gambling without skill has some validity. At its heart, Bingo is a game where random numbers are drawn and compared against cards, and the numbers on the cards marked off when called. When a card is completed (either with all the numbers marked, or in a certain pattern, such as one line, four corners etc.) the player shouts Bingo and claims a prize. Certainly, when playing online, with the auto-dauber on, you need not mark off your card. You can just sit back and wait to be notified of a win. Live, land-based games do require some concentration, particularly if you have a large number of cards to check. If you miss out shouting Bingo, you will miss out on a prize! Perhaps that concentration can’t be classed as skill, but you certainly have to keep your wits and senses about you!

There is also some skill in deciding when and where to play, both online and land-based. At certain times and at certain sites, there may be better odds of winning, and/or bigger prize money. It’s certainly worth shopping around online for the best deals- there’s fierce competition between rival online Bingo companies. Comparing and contrasting what’s on offer can be a skill in itself.  Does this one look too good to be true? Hang on- that £50 bonus added to your initial £20 investment is only if you sign up for a minimum period of three months, and agree to invest £10 a month minimum.

As for the game being "Gambling for Grannies", anyone who says that has obviously not been to a Bingo game for some time. Bingo companies are wooing a much younger audience to change their night out from the local pub, or expensive up-town clubs, to fun events such as Bin-Glo, where there’s a totally party atmosphere, and any Grannies there are likely to be quite shocked by some of the goings-on! Online too, take a look at the quality of conversations in the Chat Rooms... it’s every bit as lively and spicy as some you will find on FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube. No dull exchanging of knitting patterns and holidays to Marbella here!

I won’t even bother to address the accusation that Bingo is fixed. It would be difficult to do, and people aren’t stupid. It just doesn’t happen with reputable Bingo companies. They have too much to lose.

And finally the charge that it is a game for the lower classes. Oh come on. Catherine Zeta Jones plays, professional people play, even members of Parliament play. And are there still classes in society?

So while I may not have been able to convince any of my non-Bingo playing friends to have a go at Bingo, I stopped them from "having a go" at Bingo!

Good luck in your next game, and good luck if you’re trying to persuade some of your friends to take the plunge in the fun surf that is Bingo!