Even if you have never played the game, you are familiar with the exhilaration that comes with the shouted word "Bingo!" And if you are a regular or avid Bingo player, then you know the best way to hear that word coming out of your mouth is to have a reliable Bingo dauber that helps you work quickly and efficiently toward that elusive straight line.
History
Bingo was originally called "Beano" and played at country fairs. Players would mark their cards with beans and whoever got a straight line of numbers would shout "Beano!" and receive a small prize. The game was renamed Bingo after a few years, and Catholic priests began to use it as a means to raise church funds. As the game became increasingly popular and players began to play multiple cards at once, Bingo daubers came into use to make marking off the numbers quicker and easier.
Function
Bingo daubers are used to mark numbers that have been called in the course of a Bingo game. They make a round, distinct circle that mimics the form of a Bingo chip. If the cards are laminated, then the marks can be wiped off so that they cards may be reused. If they are not, the dauber permanently marks the card.
Features
Bingo daubers have a large, round ink pad at one end. They are self inking and tend to be shaped to fit the hand for maximum comfort, since avid Bingo players may need to mark 20 to 40 cards in the space of about 30 seconds. They are often refillable and have many different colors of ink.
Benefits
A Bingo dauber is far more efficient than marking your Bingo card with chips. Chips can be dislodged or knocked off, wasting your entire game. Also, placing chips in an orderly fashion on your card is much more time consuming that making a mark with a dauber, and people who use chips generally cannot play as many cards at once.
Types
Ink daubers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Fun daubers may be shaped like Uncle Sam, famous wrestlers or Santa Claus. There are also a wide variety of daubers that are ergonomic and specifically formed to make holding them as easy on the hands as possible. Many older Bingo players like this type of dauber because it is easier on arthritic hands.
Considerations
If you are going to use a Bingo dauber, make sure that the rules of your local Bingo hall allow it. If they do not, you will probably have to forfeit your prize money if you win and may have to pay a fine for the ruined cards. Other halls only allow certain types of daubers in an effort to keep the playing field even, so be sure that yours conforms to the requirements before you begin a game.
Tags: Bingo dauber, Bingo daubers, avid Bingo, Bingo players, cards once, straight line