Maine
What are bingo halls?
'Bingo halls' is just a term for anywhere that hosts a game of bingo! Commercial bingo halls do exist; these are venues that just run as a bingo game business for profit. However in Maine, bingo is in support of charitable causes, so there are many buildings that have a regular day job, and once a week or once a month they transform into a bingo hall for a charity game! For example, the American Legion in Richmond is a veterans' club that sometimes runs bingo fundraisers. Most of the time, the venue is a social club, but as soon as it's set up for a game of bingo, BAM, it becomes a bingo hall! The Elks Lodge in Portland usually functions as a venue for the association's social meetings, dinners, brunches, and more, but every week the venue becomes a bingo hall for an exciting bingo game! The bottom line is, a bingo hall can be any kind of venue, as long as it is holding a bingo game! Your local church, fire station, vets club, or school could all become a bingo hall for a charitable fundraising event. And what a way to raise some money, with a fantastic game like bingo!
How does a bingo game work?
So you've arrived at your local bingo hall, ready to play, and suddenly you realise you don't have a clue how a game of bingo actually works! Everyone around you is buying cards and talking about lines and full houses- eek! Don't worry, BingoPort will walk you through what to expect from a typical bingo game, and by the time you arrive, you'll be a bingo whiz. Arriving early is always a good plan for bingo, as there are a couple of things you'll need to do before the game starts. You'll need to find the venue and a parking space, you might need to pay entry, and you'll need to get your bingo cards. You'll also need to find a seat! When everyone is settled, the game can begin. The bingo caller will welcome the players, and might announce which charity will benefit from the game. They will also likely describe the prize (a jackpot, an item, etc), and which pattern the players must match to win. This could be a line (5 boxes in a row), a full house (every box on the grid), or something else. Then they will start the game, calling the numbers as they are drawn. Daub the numbers on your card when they are called, and keep an eye on which boxes you need to daub for the winning pattern. The first player to match the winning pattern must shout BINGO!
How do I pick a bingo venue in Maine?
You're ready to find a new bingo home in Maine, you sit down to pick somewhere to visit, and... where do you start? It can be daunting trying to find a new bingo venue to join, but don't worry- BingoPort are here to make it easy. The first thing to consider is location. You want a bingo hall to be close enough that you can actually visit! If you're looking to play in Maine, you're already on the right page. Choose the town in the list that is closest to you, and you will see all the available bingo halls in your area. Then you can use BingoPort's helpful listings pages to see just what each hall offers, when they open, and more. Things like game times are very important- if a hall only runs games mid-afternoon on weekdays, and you work 9-5, that isn't going to suit you! But a hall with evening or weekend games would be much better. Do you smoke? Drive? See which halls have a smoking shelter and a parking lot. Everything you need to know to choose a great new bingo hall in Maine is right here for you to browse easily.
What is it that makes a bingo hall great?
When deciding where to play bingo in Maine, you might be wondering, what is it that takes a bingo hall from just 'okay' to absolutely brilliant? Well, unless every single player walks away with a fistful of cash, it's unlikely that any one bingo hall will be every player's perfect venue. Everyone likes different things, and the same is true of the bingo experience. The key to a great bingo session is finding a hall that suits YOU. There are all kinds of factors that define a bingo hall; does it have big jackpots? Do they play for funky patterns, or just full house? Is it quiet and welcoming, or loud and busy? What makes a hall perfect for you might not suit someone else, so when wondering if a bingo hall is any good, the question you need to be asking is- does this bingo hall suit my needs and wants? If the answer is yes, chances are you've found yourself a good venue.
Is bingo legal in Maine?
Bingo is legal in Maine for charity purposes only, meaning that playing your favourite game of bingo will also benefit a great cause! Tribal bingo is also popular in the state. Bingo for charity is limited by a maximum prize limit, but tribal bingo is not limited in the prizes it can offer. There are currently two casinos in Maine, which are legal and regulated. Unlike many other states, tribal casinos are not permitted. The casinos have slot games and table games, so players can enjoy a wide variety of games at these venues. Horse race betting is allowed in Maine, both on and off track. There are 11 race tracks in Maine, as the sport is very popular. Dog racing is not legal in Maine; like many other states, Maine has chosen to ban dog racing. There is also a state lottery in Maine.
Interesting Facts
- Maine is the only state to share its border with just one other state. It shares a border with New Hampshire, but the rest of Maine is bordered by Canada and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Maine supplies 90% of the US's lobster- 40 million pounds of it!
- Eastport, in Maine, is the easternmost city in the whole of the US.
- Maine isn't just about seafood- it also produces 99% of the US's blueberry yield.
- Many of Stephen King's novels are set in fictional towns in Maine; the author was born in Maine and spent much of his life there.