Bingo callers are the people who are in charge of announcing the numbers during a bingo game. The successful bingo caller will have a clear, well-communicated voice, as well as the ability to modulate tone and emphasis in such a way that the process of calling number after number remains interesting for the players. While no special training is required to be a successful bingo number caller, having a winning personality and a positive attitude can go a long way toward determining how well the caller is received.
The job of bingo caller entails more than simply announcing numbers to the players present. During the current game, callers must also keep track of the numbers they’ve dialed. They must also be able to repeat the numbers when asked any of the other players. When a player announces that he or she has scored a bingo, the caller in many bingo parlors is also responsible for participating in the verification process. This is usually accomplished having an official visually inspect the player’s card and calling out the bingo numbers; as the official calls out the numbers, the bingo caller confirms that those numbers were indeed called during the game.
It’s not uncommon for a bingo caller to also be in charge of presenting prizes to the bingo game winners. In situations where two players simultaneously announce a bingo, the caller is usually the one who has to decide how to proceed. Assuming that both parties have a valid bingo, the caller may decide to split the prize between the two players, or apply any rules or regulations that are part of the bingo parlor’s operating procedures. Throughout the process, the bingo caller must maintain impartiality while remaining firm but respectful to all parties involved.
Many bingo halls choose to hire full-time callers. In some cases, a parlor may choose to hire part-time callers who can work on a need-to-know basis. Individuals who work as freelance callers frequently provide their services at events where bingo games are held as a fund-raising strategy or for private parties hosted bingo fans. While not the most lucrative job, working as a bingo caller can be ideal for students who need to work around their class schedules or retirees who only want to work a few hours per week.
Software for online bingo callers has been developed in recent years. These electronic bingo callers are typically used in conjunction with online gaming sites or as part of home gaming software. Some traditional bingo parlors also use the calling software, though most people still prefer the personal touch that a live caller can provide.