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Just because you have
a computer and a working knowledge of bingo,
that doesn't automatically make you an expert at
online bingo. The following tips will point you
toward a successful online bingo experience.
Many people are afraid that the Internet is full
of hackers who will corrupt their computer or
steal their credit card number. But playing
bingo on the Internet shouldn't be a security
risk, as long as you follow some simple rules.
- Make sure the site is legit.
Some gambling sites
are perpetrated by shady characters who, in
different circumstances, might try to sell you
the Brooklyn Bridge. Other sites are just so
disorganized that it's nearly impossible to sort
through all the passwords, registration numbers,
and Web pages, and if you win a prize, you might
not see it for months (if at all) due to
disorganized Web masters.
Unfortunately, there's no "Better Business
Bureau" that specializes in online bingo. Rest assured
that there should be no problem at all with the
bingo sites listed on our web pages. If you have
doubts about a for-pay site, see if the
proprietors address issues of security and
privacy (some post "Privacy Policy" statements
or descriptions of the security measures they
use).
- Visit bingo message boards online to see if
anyone has reported getting ripped off; Check
out our blacklist section and make sure the
bingo website in question is not listed there.
- Don't give out your password.
Pick a unique
password to protect your account, preferably
one that would be difficult for others to guess.
If you forget it, don't worry because most sites
will give you a hint or the option of receiving
the password at a private e-mail address.
- Look for free games.
Try sticking to high traffic Web sites that promise fun first
and prizes for little or no investment on your
part. That way, if they aren't up to snuff, you
can simply move on, a little wiser and no
poorer.
Online Bingo Lingo
When you find a game of bingo to play on the
Internet, you may be confused by the alphabet
soup that spills out of the chat area while the
game is taking place. In order to keep up with
the breakneck pace of the virtual bingo caller
and, more important, in order to socialize,
computer bingo players use shorthand for a
variety of common expressions. Below is a
sampling of the most common abbreviations you'll
see online:
73 (or any other number). If a player just needs
O-73 to win, he or she may simply type "73" in
the chat area, either to let everybody know or
hoping for luck.
pls "Please!" If somebody is close to getting a
bingo on a big jackpot, they may type this. If
the number they need is I-17, they may write "17
pls."
gl "Good luck!"
wtg "Way to go!" When somebody wins an online
bingo, you may see an outpouring of wtg's from
the other players.
gj "Good job!" An alternative to "wtg."
tyvm "Thank you very much." This is shorthand
to show gratitude for the well-wishes of other
players.
gg "Good game." This usually comes from a
player who's being a good sport.
brb "Be right back." Players use "brb" when
they get up for a cup of coffee, need to answer
the phone, etc.
lol "Laughing out loud." Since nobody can see
you laugh online, players will type this to show
they appreciated a joke.
rotfl "Rolling on the floor, laughing." The
joke must have been really funny.
After becoming familiar with the online
vocabulary and safety tips, you are ready for a
game of online bingo. View
all of the acronyms here.
The following guidelines can
help improve your play strategy.
If the numbers are coming in to fast, you may find it hard to
keep up. At many bingo sites you can do a quick spot-check by
clicking with your mouse on open squares. If a square has been called,
it will register as a daub. This is helpful if you want to grab a snack
from the fridge or take a phone call during a coverall game.
Some pay sites have an "auto daub" option to
bring called numbers to your attention.
A false bingo (clicking the bingo button at the wrong time) slows down
the game on everybody else's computer. Players who have too many false
bingos in a day might be penalized.
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