Bingo, for example, is somewhat of a gambling game of unknown origin where players mark off numbers on a ticket as they are randomly called out in the hope of achieving a winning combination.

It is particularly popular in clubs with the women of our world the greatest enthusiasts, particularly those of an older age.

The game is most popular in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and while the Americans play a similar game their tickets and calling are slightly different.

A typical bingo ticket contains 27 spaces arranged in nine columns by three rows with each row containing five numbers and four blank spaces.

Each game is presided over by a caller who normally sets a game in motion by calling “eyes down”.

When players arrive to play they can buy a book of tickets before settling down to test their luck.

Online bingo is also becoming increasingly popular.

There are a number of slang expressions used by some callers such as “Kelly’s eye” for the letter one, legs eleven for 11, sweet sixteen for 16 and key of the door for 21.

The people I spoke with at a local club recently said they liked the game as it was a chance to get out of the house and they met a wide range of other folk.

Maria said she drove her elderly parents to the club several days a week so they could play and, of course, she got into the habit.

Prizes vary from cash to fruit and vegetables at the club where I spoke with these people with the one-day-a-week money bonanza likely to attract more than 100 players.

It was also most likely that they would play two sessions in a day.

And did they regard themselves as gamblers? Well, maybe, but not in the same category as those who played the nearby poker machines or keno.

Cribbage battles on   

It may not be as popular as bingo or other club sports but cribbage, or crib as it is better known, is still played by the devoted few who just love the game.

Crib is traditionally a game for two players but more likely to be played with three, four or more, and involves grouping cards in combinations which gain points.

It is believed the game was created in England in the early 17th century as a derivation of the game “noddy”, and while “noddy” has disappeared, crib has survived virtually unchanged.

The objective of the game is to be the first player to score a target number of points which are allocated for card combinations that add up to 15, and for pairs, triples, quadruples, runs and flushes.

Surely you can recall your parents playing the game with friends over a few drinks and a tasty supper those many years ago?

Visually, cribbage is known for its somewhat unique scoring board which is a series of holes on which the score is tallied with pegs.

The small group of local crib players I spoke with said they found the game challenging and a good test of concentration.

One player, Ray, said he played each Sunday morning, which in itself was often a challenge, but admitted the game really tested one’s concentration.

“It’s good for the mind even if at times you get exasperated when things don’t always go your way,” he said.

It was also a game that could be played while enjoying a drink or two they said.

For further information about where you can play bingo and/or crib the best place to ask is probably your local licensed club.

Next week we’ll look at bridge, darts and billiards.