Alabama
Alabama, known as the Heart of Dixie, is a south-eastern state with thousands of miles of inland waterways. It was admitted as the 22nd state in 1819. It is bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
What are bingo halls?
Bingo halls are just places where people play bingo. A bingo hall could be a venue that only hosts bingo, or it could be somewhere like a rented room where a bingo game is held. That means that sometimes, your local bingo hall may have a different day job! Regardless of what your bingo hall looks like it will still be set up roughly the same to allow a game of bingo to take place. There will be similar features like tables and chairs for the players, and perhaps somewhere to buy snacks or refreshments. There will also be a bingo caller somewhere at the front of the room where everyone can see them easily.
How does a bingo game work?
If you have never played bingo in a bingo hall before, it could be a little intimidating your first time there. Not to worry, BingoPort is here to give you a hand when understanding what usually happens at a game of bingo. You should ideally arrive a little early. This will give you time to settle in, buy your tickets and perhaps even make some new friends. The game will start at the allotted time, and there is nothing worse than having to rush to avoid being late! When the game begins, the bingo caller will announce the numbers. The bingo caller could be a person, computer, or even a live stream to another room somewhere else. The players will mark off the numbers as they are called on their bingo cards. Everyone will be hoping that they mark off the numbers for the winning pattern first. It is important to keep up as the bingo caller shouts numbers, because if you miss your chance to call bingo, your prize will be gone. When a player has the matching numbers for the winning pattern, they must shout bingo loudly enough that the bingo caller can hear them. When somebody shouts bingo, the bingo caller will pause the game to verify the win. They will be checking to ensure that the bingo player who has called out has all of the correct numbers for the win on the right pattern. Usually the game will end at this point, however there are some games that offer additional prizes. In this case, the game will continue until all the prizes are won. When the game ends, players will usually have a small break where they can go to the bathroom, stretch their legs, or chat to their friends. At this point the bingo caller will announce a new game, and everyone will retake their seats ready for the new game to begin.
How do I choose a bingo hall?
So, you have decided you would like to play bingo. Well, if you are on BingoPort, you are in the right place! It can be daunting when facing a list of bingo halls to know which one you should choose. Luckily, BingoPort is here to help. The first step is to find bingo halls that are near enough to you that you could visit them. BingoPort lists bingo halls by state and city so you can see which are nearest to you. Now that you know which bingo halls are in your city, you can decide which ones to visit. The best way to do this is to look at what they offer. Do they support a charity you particularly love? Or perhaps they are in a place that is very convenient for you to get to? You can use BingoPort’s listings to find out all the information you need about your local bingo halls. Once you have picked a couple of bingo halls that look good, it is time for the fun part. You get to go and try them out! Select a few bingo halls near you that look good, and give them a go.
What makes a great bingo hall?
With such a choice of bingo halls in Alabama, how do you know which ones are really great? The trick is, there is no universally great bingo hall; it is all about your personal preference. Finding a bingo Hall that really suits you will make sure that you have a great time. Do you prefer to play bingo in the morning, or late at night? Perhaps you require parking, or disability access. Bingo in Alabama is for charity, so see which charitable organisations are supported by bingo halls near to you. Deciding what you want from your bingo hall will allow you to choose one that suits your needs and will ensure you have a great time.
Alabama and gambling
Gambling is generally restricted in Alabama. Casinos are not permitted except on Reservation land, and there are only three casinos in the whole state. These only allow electronic gaming machines, and no table games. There is also a racino for greyhound racing. There is a long history of back-and-forth regarding bingo in Alabama. Bingo is currently allowed in specific areas if it supports charitable organizations. There has been a lot of contention surrounding electronic bingo machines and whether or not they are legal. Electronic bingo machines are currently legal, but the problem has arisen from gambling operators trying to argue that slot machines and poker machines can be classed under this heading as ‘electronic bingo’.
Interesting facts about Alabama
- Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas Day a legal holiday. The decision was taken in 1936, and the rest of the country followed not long after.
- It is a felony in Alabama to wrestle a bear! This law was brought in due to problems with bear-baiting and bear-wrestling for entertainment purposes.
- The first 911 call was made in Alabama, 1968, though it was not a real emergency. Alabama House Speaker Rankin Fite called Alabama Rep. Tom Bevill at the Haleyville Police Station.
- Famous people from Alabama include Courteney Cox, Channing Tatum, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, and Lionel Richie.
- The flag of Alabama is a scarlet cross of St Andrew, from the corners diagonally, on a white background. The state is the only one without an official state nickname, though it is commonly nicknamed the Yellowhammer State and the Heart of Dixie.