Maryland

What is a bingo hall?

A bingo hall is just anywhere that hosts a game of bingo! A bingo hall could be a commercial venue that only hosts bingo games, or it could be a building that usually serves another purpose, like a church, a fire station, or a school! Lots of charities choose to host bingo nights to raise funds for the organization, so don't be surprised if your local veterans' club becomes a bingo hall once a week! Pretty much anywhere can become a bingo hall as long as it's holding a game of bingo. Because of this, many bingo halls do not look alike! They may not even look like a bingo hall. But once the venue is set up for the bingo game, you will quickly see the similarities. There will always be somewhere for the players to sit, usually sets of tables and chairs, and there will be a place for the bingo caller at the front, somewhere where everyone can see and hear them. Other than that, what your bingo hall offers will vary from place to place!

How to Play Bingo

Not played bingo before? Well, first of all, welcome to the most exciting game you'll ever play! Bingo is thrilling, fun, and best of all, easy to pick up. It can feel a little intimidating to turn up to a bingo hall without knowing how the game works, so here's your introduction to what happens during a bingo game. This should give you a general idea of what to expect! Arriving early is always a great idea for a game of bingo. Before the game starts you'll need to get to the venue, pay the entry fee if there is one, and get your bingo cards. You'll also need to find a seat for yourself or your group. Once everyone is seated, the game can begin. The bingo caller will announce the prize that everyone is playing for, as well as the winning pattern that must be matched to claim the prize. Then they will start to call the numbers and it's eyes down as the players mark off the numbers on their cards. The first player to mark all the squares needed for the winning pattern must shout BINGO to announce their win and claim their prize!

How do I pick a bingo venue in Maryland?

There are lots of bingo halls in Maryland, so how do you choose one to visit? This may sound like a huge task, but in reality it can be pretty fun. The first thing to do is narrow down your choices by location. If you want a hall in Maryland, you're in the right place! Next, choose your nearest town from the list to see the bingo halls closest to you. If you live in Salisbury, you don't want to be looking at bingo halls in Cumberland! Have a look at the list of available bingo venues, and see what you think. Choosing between them might be tricky; look at the BingoPort pages for each hall to see what the venue offers. This way, you'll be able to pick the halls that look the most exciting to you! You don't have to just pick one hall and discard the rest; why not choose a few that look good, try them all, and then pick a favourite? More bingo means more fun, after all!

Which bingo halls are the best?

When you've found a list of the halls closest to you, you might be wondering how you decide which ones to try. After all, what makes a bingo hall good? Well, the answer is that there's no one perfect bingo hall for everyone. Different players value different things from their bingo games, and will like different halls accordingly! The best way to pick a hall is to consider what makes a bingo experience great for YOU. Do you like a busy, jam-packed bingo hall, or a quiet, local game with regulars you can get to know? Are you only interested if there are big cash prizes, or do you like the idea of winning something fun like designer handbags, gift vouchers, or other physical prizes? These are all factors to consider when picking a hall. Of course, you should also consider any requirements you have for comfort and accessibility; do you need a smoking shelter, disability access, or a parking lot? You can see exactly what each hall offers with BingoPort's listing pages.

Can I gamble in Maryland?

In Maryland, many types of gambling are legal, provided that they are properly licensed and regulated. Casinos are legal in Maryland, and there are quite a few to choose from. These casinos can have slot games, table games including cards and roulette, and most also have poker rooms. Horse racing is popular in Maryland, and the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is a big name in US horse racing. On and off track betting is permitted. Like many US states, Maryland has outlawed greyhound racing. There is a state lottery in Maryland, as well as interstate lotteries whose tickets can be purchased within the state of Maryland. Bingo is legal, as long as it is for charity. That means that players enjoying their favourite game of bingo can feel good that their exciting game is also helping to fund worthy causes!

Interesting Facts

• The first postal system in the US was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1774.
• The first dental school in the world was in Maryland in 1828. It was originally called the St Francis Academy, but 11 years later was renamed the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery.
• The USS Constellation, the last surviving ship from the Civil War, is docked in Maryland.
• Fancy a swim? 16 of Maryland's 23 counties border tidal water.
• A lawyer from Maryland, Francis Scott Key, wrote the national anthem in 1814.

Towns in Maryland