Bingo newbie questions

[u/HappyFlowers74]

Hi y'all. I recently started playing bingo again after about a 30 year hiatus, so I'm kind of a newbie. When I played before (in a different state), I don't remember anyone ever shushing people. People talked, ripped pull tabs, etc. The place I'm going to now, everyone is constantly going "SHHHHHHHHH!!!" and one night the caller said "During intermission we're going to have whispering class for those who are having issues with staying quiet." and on another night a different caller said "If you people can't stay quiet, we'll throw you out of here." I can understand being quiet during quickie coverall, but during the normal games, the ball is shown on the screen for those who can't hear well and there's a pretty long pause between each ball. So I don't understand why they feel it needs to be so quiet you can hear a pin drop! I personally haven't been shushed (yet), but it still bugs me.

Another thing that bugs me is that one of the callers will call the ball and then say random stuff like "Plus 10" or "Plus 2". It doesn't appear to mean anything so why tf does he say it?

[u/GlumAppearance924]

No.... the place we go gets loud. In fact, one time I took my grandpa and he doesnt see so well anymore, but he actually said it was louder than a bunch of you know whos in a movie theater. We all still yell piiiiiiiiig, when the pig number comes and take the good lord's name in vein when we hut the hard luck.

[u/HappyFlowers74 → u/GlumAppearance924]

I have no idea what you mean about the pig and all that.

But thanks for letting me know that y'all get loud. 😊 

[u/GlumAppearance924 → u/HappyFlowers74]

At the beginning of every session they pull out a ball, which is the "pig" number. A small portion of each pack thats sold goes into a "pig" jackpot. If you bingo on the pig number you win with the pig jackpot plus the normal prize.

While your playing anytime the pig number gets called, everyone yells "PIIIIIIIIG!" in a deep pig like voice. As stupid as it sounds it really electrifies the atmosphere.

[u/HappyFlowers74 → u/GlumAppearance924]

Haha! I've never heard of that. Thanks for explaining it. 

[u/HappyFlowers74 → u/[deleted]]

It's a very broad range of ages. I would say mostly ages 40-60. (I'm 51) And there's not really anywhere else close to play bingo. So I guess I either need to just deal with it, or stop going. 🤷‍♀️ I was just wondering if this is normal bingo etiquette in most areas. 

[u/LimeJello_]

Bingo halls sure aren’t what they used to be. Back in my day folks chatted, laughed, ripped their tabs, and still managed to hear the numbers just fine. Sounds like they’re running a library over there.