Experienced Bingo Players - Walk Me Through the Process

[mmbrad02]

This is probably a silly question for most, but this will be my fourth cruise (1 prior Carnival one, 2 Disney) and I have always skipped Bingo cause I didn't know what exactly to do.  Do I need to buy my card ahead of time or is there an at the door sale when it's time for Bingo to start?  Are cards sold individually to play or is it a package type situation?  Will I need to purchase anything other than a card(s) to play?

 

For what it's worth we are sailing the Freedom in July.

 

Thanks!

[scoobysnacks70]

Cards are sold there before game starts.  Usually they will have a package that will include a free dauber.  Just show up and have fun!  Good luck 🍀

[EngIceDave]

Amazed no one (RE: Kid) taken a dauber and poked it all over the ship as a gag

[cacruisin]

I played bingo for my first time this last cruise, it was not intimidating and it was so fun!!!!  I do believe however that we bought our cards earlier in the day at a separate location.

[1025cruise]

I stopped playing Bingo when they switched to the computer generated stuff. Now all they do is scan your card to validate the win. To me, it makes me feel the game can be fixed since the computer knows what card sets are out there and can draw the appropriate numbers.

[kdr69]

2 hours ago, mmbrad02 said:

This is probably a silly question for most, but this will be my fourth cruise (1 prior Carnival one, 2 Disney) and I have always skipped Bingo cause I didn't know what exactly to do.  Do I need to buy my card ahead of time or is there an at the door sale when it's time for Bingo to start?  Are cards sold individually to play or is it a package type situation?  Will I need to purchase anything other than a card(s) to play?

 

For what it's worth we are sailing the Freedom in July.

 

Thanks!

You can pre buy or buy at the door.  You can buy individual cards or different packages.  You will need something to mark the cards, typically a dauber you can purchase or bring your own like I do.  

[Gamecock_Cruiser]

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

I stopped playing Bingo when they switched to the computer generated stuff. Now all they do is scan your card to validate the win. To me, it makes me feel the game can be fixed since the computer knows what card sets are out there and can draw the appropriate numbers.

Same. I used to play when they would roll out the bingo machine with the ball hopper. But not anymore with the electronic balls.

[pe4all]

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

I stopped playing Bingo when they switched to the computer generated stuff. Now all they do is scan your card to validate the win. To me, it makes me feel the game can be fixed since the computer knows what card sets are out there and can draw the appropriate numbers.

My dd's would always volunteer to go up on the stage to "check" the balls before they were released into the hopper.  They always got a ship on the stick for doing so!

[scoobysnacks70]

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

I stopped playing Bingo when they switched to the computer generated stuff. Now all they do is scan your card to validate the win. To me, it makes me feel the game can be fixed since the computer knows what card sets are out there and can draw the appropriate numbers.

I agree that it does not feel as random without seeing the balls actually drop--but somebody has got to win so maybe whoever is choosing (if that's the case) will pick me 🤷‍♀️

[Caps_Shield]

Go in just to randomly yell BINGO!  Bingo people just love that gag.  They laugh and laugh....

[Eli_6]

You have to buy it ahead of time, but the Fun Times says when the time was.  Maybe you can buy right before, but the line will be long. I only did it once, but there were 3 games and you got 9 squares for each game and the last one you got extra games on.  It was for the "big" prize. It was $48 and it seemed like a rip to me because there was a ton of people playing when I played (like the theatre was filled) and the only gave out like $1k and a free cruise which was probably an inside room on a short cruise...so, yeah, I didn't think it was worth it. 

[80sGal]

Seasoned Bingo player here!  The game runs on sets of cards.  For 25 bucks you can get a row of 3 cards.  You play all 3 top cards the first round,  tear off, play next three, tear off play last 3.   For 38 bucks you can get a larger set of 3 cards x 2 rows.   For 48 bucks you can get the 3 x 3 card which will come with a pull tab game and a dauber and an extra card of 3 for the last game only.  Some ships now have an even larger pack that comes with a t-shirt.  I think its 56.  If you already have a dauber they will give you an extra card for the last game instead if you ask.  We always play Bingo.  Yes its a little pricey but it is more fun, IMO, than spending that 48 bucks on slots that can be over in 10 minutes.   We have won 3 times I think over the years.  The prizes go up based on number of players.  The jackpot might be 1K on a small ship but 2K or 2500 on a larger one.   Buy tickets during the early sales time as lines can be very long right beforehand.  Cheers!  

Edited February 25, 2023 by 80sGal
Typo

[StephPS79]

5 hours ago, scoobysnacks70 said:

I agree that it does not feel as random without seeing the balls actually drop--but somebody has got to win so maybe whoever is choosing (if that's the case) will pick me 🤷‍♀️

 

I was going to say this lol.  I mean, SOMEone had to win, so not sure how much "fixing" could be done.

 

Now the slot machines, lol.  Those I think are fixed.

[iria64]

11 hours ago, StephPS79 said:

 

I was going to say this lol.  I mean, SOMEone had to win, so not sure how much "fixing" could be done.

 

Now the slot machines, lol.  Those I think are fixed.

Yes, slot machines are fixed.  They are programmed for a set payout rate which is lower than land based casinos.

[DPTexas]

On 2/24/2023 at 6:26 PM, 80sGal said:

Seasoned Bingo player here!  The game runs on sets of cards.  For 25 bucks you can get a row of 3 cards.  You play all 3 top cards the first round,  tear off, play next three, tear off play last 3.   For 38 bucks you can get a larger set of 3 cards x 2 rows.   For 48 bucks you can get the 3 x 3 card which will come with a pull tab game and a dauber and an extra card of 3 for the last game only.  Some ships now have an even larger pack that comes with a t-shirt.  I think its 56.  If you already have a dauber they will give you an extra card for the last game instead if you ask.  We always play Bingo.  Yes its a little pricey but it is more fun, IMO, than spending that 48 bucks on slots that can be over in 10 minutes.   We have won 3 times I think over the years.  The prizes go up based on number of players.  The jackpot might be 1K on a small ship but 2K or 2500 on a larger one.   Buy tickets during the early sales time as lines can be very long right beforehand.  Cheers!  

 

Agree with everything 80sGal said.   I suggest checking the HUB app for when BINGO pre-sales start because the lines just before the game starts can be long and on one cruise they ran out of daubers, and it was not fun trying to "x" out the numbers with a pencil.  So, now we take our own daubers and get an extra card for the last game.    We have ever won past the first prize (I think it was $20 off a photo package), but on one cruise last year, the lady in front of us won $500 on one of the first games and then she won the free cruise on the last game.  Everyone was excited for her because it happened to be her birthday!  Those of us near her were suggesting she should check out the casino!   LOL!

Because it is computer generated, if you win a prize, it is automatically put on your S&S card either that night or the next day.

It is pricey, but fun!

Happy cruising everyone!

 

[chasinraynbowz]

On 2/24/2023 at 2:17 PM, scoobysnacks70 said:

I agree that it does not feel as random without seeing the balls actually drop--but somebody has got to win so maybe whoever is choosing (if that's the case) will pick me 🤷‍♀️

My cousin won $200 on our Celebration cruise in January.