Bingo ? Good for the Mind?

When we think of bingo, genius and brainpower don't always spring to mind; these attributes have tended to be reserved for poker and other games of skill and luck. The image of a grandparent sitting in a community hall with a cup of tea and a card of bingo does not lend itself to the intrigue of psychology and mental agility. However, according to a study by the University of Southampton's Psychology Department, bingo may not be the trivial pastime many would take it for. Researchers there insist that bingo keeps the mind sharp and equate this as especially important to people as they get older.

The tests conducted revealed that bingo players were more accurate and faster in tests that measured memory, mental speed and their ability to absorb information from the environment around them, than those who did not play the game.

What seems to be the key advantage to the sustained playing of bingo is the concept of time. There is no doubt that games such as chess, poker and backgammon all stretch the mind and keep the brain functioning. Whereas the hand-eye coordination needed for bingo may not be as exhaustive as for other games, the time constraint in which players must check their numbers is key to the sustenance of mental agility.

The tests comprised of 112 people within the age brackets of 18 to 40 and 60 to 82. Half of each set played bingo. The results concluded that all bingo players were more accurate and quicker than non-players. Interestingly, in certain tests, the older players did better than the younger players. More and more research is supporting the theory that a regular partaking of activities that exercise the mind is very beneficial to the maintenance of optimum mental functioning as we get older.

Younger bingo players tended to be faster, but the older ones were more accurate. Many people have suggested that the reason people dismiss bingo as a "junior" gaming pastime is because we so often associate it with pensioners. The social stigma of bingo has kept it out of the major casinos and therefore reduced its respect amongst the "hipper" echelons of today's society.

Many would be led to conclude that the above study is simply out of proportion in the sense that a game of bingo is hardly a satisfactory workout for the mind in terms of endurance and mental skill. To an extent they would be right. But what the tests seem to be suggesting crucially, is that it is the prolonged or regular partaking in the game over a sustained period of time that will lead to cognitive benefits.

Then of course there are those who believe that any form of gambling being proclaimed to be beneficial to the mind is nothing short of an aberration. Whilst certainly milder in terms of the funds that change hands than other gambling games, bingo is still a game where one pays money to gain money and as such has been criticised from certain groups in society. However, the social aspect of the game cannot be overlooked and it is this type of play that would be encouraged to facilitate the mental benefits as concluded by the study described above.

In the UK, there are around three million bingo players. It is hoped that this study and the growing body of research around it will help to promote the game to those who otherwise would have written it off as something to be enjoyed with gardening, tea and everything else we assume people over the age of 65 suddenly develop a passion for.

About The Author

John C. Thorenssen is professional gambler and work as consultant in Royal Club Casino New York. He wrote articles about gambling and gambling strategies. Most of the articles will be included in his new book.

Online Bingo - www.OnlineBingo.co.uk - Your bingo resource

onlinebingouk@hotmail.com

---

How to Avoid the Common Slot Machine Playing Mistakes

Understanding how slots work is important in maximizing your gains... Read More

A Beginners Strategy Guide to Online Micro Limit Hold Em

It's hard to miss the fact that the last two... Read More

Your POSITION Of Power In Holdem

In Hold'em poker, the importance of your position in relation... Read More

My Las Vegas Review

Recently I took ten days off and went to Las... Read More

Holdem Starting Hands

Top starting hands should be raised and played aggressively. AA,... Read More

How to Profit at Online Poker Over the Long Run

The first and most important step is to take notes.... Read More

My Official Cheapskate Guide to Las Vegas

TRAVEL- The following is my penny pinchers guide to Las... Read More

Video Poker - Choose the Best Machines

There are three basic types of video poker machines:* Jacks... Read More

Las Vegas Gambling Basics

The gambling scene, not only of North America but also... Read More

Become the Casino of Life Where You Control the Outcome Rather Than Playing the Odds

I want to continue on the subject that I have... Read More

How to Play Video Poker Slot Machines

Video Poker is a game that requires some skill to... Read More

The Silver Club Casino

The Book is run by Leroy's Sports Book and is... Read More

Blackjack - What Are the Odds?

It goes without saying but we'll say it anyway: the... Read More

Three Ways to Play Free Online Poker

Getting to play poker online for free is the holy... Read More

Halftime Wagering Part 1 - Hedging Your Bet:

Halftime wagering is done exactly how it sounds...at halftime. If... Read More

A NO B.S. Explanation of Spread Betting For Newbies

Note: The goal of this article is to give you... Read More

How to Master Low Limit Texas Holdem, Part 1 - Introduction

I decided to start a series about how to learn... Read More

How To Improve Poker Skills With Free Online Games

When I learned to play poker I did it the... Read More

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealers Signature

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealer's signatureThis... Read More

The Dangers of Bingo

Let's face it; bingo is hardly going to arouse a... Read More

Poker Hand Rankings

Poker hand rankings are one of the most important aspects... Read More

The Truth Behind The Limits: What Minimum and Maximum Bets Are About

Have you ever thought about the reason behind the existence... Read More

Women Gambling 101

There is a fundamental difference in the outlook of men... Read More

Always Win in the Casino Like James Bond

In the Bond film 'Diamonds Are Forever' we see James... Read More

As Poker Goes Hollywood Hansen is Seen as Icon

In People magazine's December 2004 issue, Gus Hansen was voted... Read More

The Adventure for Poker Gold

From the drama TILT made by ESPN to the deal... Read More

How to Win Free Online Poker Games

Online poker is very popular, but not everybody plays for... Read More

Bonuscodes Party Poker : Get more for your deposit buck

Bonuscodes for Party Poker are a great way to get... Read More

Why You Should Never Buy an Online Slot Machine System!

Playing online slot machines has become increasingly popular, as online... Read More

Evaluating Starting Hands In No-Limit Holdem Tournaments

There are three main factors that influence how you should... Read More

Poker is Meant to be Fun

With the recent explosion of interest in poker, it is... Read More

Texas Hold em Poker Basics

Texas Hold em Poker (also know as Holdem Poker) is... Read More

Expected Value in Texas Holdem Poker

A successful Texas hold em player is one who maximizes... Read More