BINGO TRAINING Last Updated August 2014
Overview The Weekly Sunday Bingo at St John s is by far our greatest money maker. For the 2013-2014 Year, we made close to $225,000 in profit from Bingo. This effort keeps tuition costs as low as possible To make it as profitable as possible it needs to run fairly smoothly. To make it run smoothly, all of our parents need to know basic information on duties and how to work a Bingo. Additionally, there are those few who are Bingo Callers. It is imperative that Callers know how to run the evening.
Overview This training will be divided into two parts First: The basics of St. John s Bingo and what floor workers should expect Second: How to be a caller
PART ONE Introduction and Being a Floor Worker
Part One: St John s Bingo The next few slides will detail: The Bingo games we play The Side Games What floor workers should be doing to make the night run smoothly and quickly.
Part One: Bingo Games The Bingo games can be broken into 3 basic categories Early Bird Games Regular Bingo Games Special Games All games are played on either 4 card (Early Bird and Specials) or 6 card sheets (regular Games) that the players mark up with stampers. Each Bingo card on the sheet has a number in the center free space and lower right that is very important. It identifies that card in the computer when trying to validate a winner. It is important to know where the number is, as seen on the next slide.
Part One: Bingo Games
Part One: Bingo Games Early Bird Games Three games that are played right at 6pm before announcements as incentive to get people there on time and ready to roll One game per sheet Played on 4 on 1 sheets That means 4 Bingo cards on 1 sheet of paper. Prizes are $50 per game These are designed to be fairly quick. There is usually a holder/derby (to be explained later) played during the 3 rd Early Bird game
Part One: Bingo Games Regular Games Regular games are the majority of the evening Played on 6 on 1 sheets Two games are played per sheet Play a game, then reuse the sheet and existing numbers from that for the 2 nd game. Each game is normally worth $100. Some nights we have special promotions and the prize changes. Unless otherwise told, assume the prize is $100 per game Holders and Derbies will be played consistently on regular games. Floor workers should be ready to validate winning Bingos and Holders/Derbies right at the start of the game.
Part One: Bingo Games Special Games These games offer players more money to win, including the Jackpot Most are played on 4 on 1 sheets Each special game is different and the prizes are varied as well. Some are basic 50/50 prizes Some have tiered prizes based on how many balls have been played before the winner happens. Lucky 7 Coverall/Jackpot Starburst has a special prize if the winning card has a Star on the space for the winning ball. Holders and Derbies can be played on these
Part One: Side Games/Pull Tabs Holders and Derbies These are huge Money makers for the school. HUGE. Each of these are played in conjunction with a Bingo game There are 3 main side games that we have: Regular Holders (of various names and design) Derbies Dab Them Balls
Part One: Side Games/Pull Tabs Regular Holders There are many designs and flavors of these games, but they all operate basically the same The players buy pull tabs looking for either instant win small cash prizes or tabs that contain 3 bingo numbers During a Bingo game, the player tracks their pull tab against bingo balls played The winner is the first person to match the 3 numbers on their pull tab with numbers played in the bingo game. The prizes vary but are usually $150 or $300
Part One: Side Games/Pull Tabs Derbies There are 2 ways to win and 4 winners when a Derby is played. First way to win is a basic holder. That means to be the first player to match the 3 numbers on the players pull tab with 3 numbers that have been played. This is a $100 prize. Second is to have a matching Horse and number to the derby winner. Horses are 1 thru 15 and a Horse wins if all of the numbers in it s column are called. As an example, for horse #5 to win, Bingo balls B5, I20, N35, G50 and O65 must be called so that the entire column of numbers under B5 are called. There are 3 Derby winners Red Horse: $500 Blue Horse: $250 White Horse: $100 There are also many instant win cash prizes for a few bucks.
Part One: Side Games/Pull Tabs Dab Them Balls This is a special holder with 3 prize winners. It is played like a regular holder in that the players buy pull tabs and then try to match the numbers on their pull tab to the numbers called during a Bingo game But. The game is different in that it awards a prize when players match 1 number, match 2 numbers and finally match 3 numbers That means that when the FIRST Bingo ball is called during the game, there will be a winner of $100 As soon as a player matches 2 numbers, we have a second winner of $200 And finally, once a player matches 3 numbers, the last winner occurs for $300 and the game is done. Because a person can still win 3 times on one card, give the card back to the player if one or two balls are blotted. It is imperative that floor workers listen to the caller and be out on the floor when this game starts to save valuable time
Part One: Floor Workers Now that we have gone over the basics of what Games we play, let s go into the details of what Floor Workers can do to ensure a smooth evening. The team captain will direct you on your job for the evening. Listen to him/her and stay active. It is helpful for the Floor Workers to be energetic during the 5 bingos they work per year. If you see trash or food trays, please remove them. Trays are put in the kitchen by the sink. The next few pages will provide guidance on: Selling BINGO! HOLDER!
Part One: Floor Workers Selling The whole point of Bingo is to raise money for the school. We do that by selling the games, selling the holders, selling the derbies. If you are tasked as a seller for the night, then work the floor, speak loudly as you walk around so that the players can hear you, and sell, sell, sell. You will be selling holders and special games. Remember that a majority of the Special games are 50/50 games so the more you sell, the more the school makes. Keep track of your money and please be accurate. All Floor Workers need to be spread out on the floor all night so that they can be near anyone who yells BIGNO! or HOLDER! (see next slides).
Part One: Floor Workers BINGO!! When a player yells Bingo, it is the job of the floor workers to confirm the win with the Caller. Many times there are more than one Bingos and having multiple floor working assisting with the win confirmations is critical so that it doesn t take too long When you get to the BINGO! player, you need to get the number of card that they think is a winner and yell that number to the Caller up on stage. You need to be clear and loud. There is usually a lot of commotion happening and the caller may not hear clearly with the Bingo Machine. The Caller will inform you if that is or is not a winner. If it is a winner, stand by the winner until the person handling the payouts comes over.
Part One: Floor Workers HOLDER!! Holders can be won at basically any time in the Bingo game, especially if we are playing Dab Them Balls When a player yells Holder, the floor workers need to quickly get to that player and confirm the win with the Caller. On the back side of the pull tab is a serial number. Read that number to the Caller to confirm the player was playing the correct pull tab for the game. Next, the floor worker needs to read off any numbers that have been marked by the player to confirm that they have indeed been played. The Caller will confirm the win and tell the floor workers how much the prize is.
Part One: Floor Workers Derbies: When a derby is played, we know when the winner is going to happen: Once a full column of numbers have been called. When the Derby is complete and we have a winning Horse Number (1-15), there will be 3 winners. Red Horse Blue Horse White Horse Just like Holders, the Floor Workers must confirm the serial number to ensure the player played the correct Pull Tab. The Floor Worker must also confirm the Horse Color and Number with the Caller. The Caller will confirm the win and prize amount.
Part One: Floor Workers Final Notes The Floor Workers drive how much money we make and how fast the game moves. Work the sales of the special games and Holders/Derbies Please do not spend the entire night congregated in one area of the gym. Spread out so that we don t have to wait for someone to walk the entire gym floor to confirm Holders and Bingos. If we can save 30 or more seconds on every game and holder, we can get out of there at 9 instead of 9:15 or 9:30. Know how to confirm Bingos and Holders by loudly reading the numbers so that the caller can validate if it's a winner.
PART TWO Being a Caller
Part Two: Callers Callers basically run the Bingo evening. Lots of work happens in the office and on the floor, but if the caller doesn t run the Bingo games well, it is gong to be a long and rough night. Being a caller is not difficult, but not everyone can be a caller You must be comfortable speaking in public, using a microphone You must be able to multi-task to handle holders/derbies while running the Bingo games You must be able to communicate with the Floor Workers and Team Captain The next few slides will discuss how to be a caller
Part Two: Callers The Callers concerns for the night: Setup Ensuring the equipment is ready to go Calling Bingo Knowing how to call the games and validate winners Dealing with Holders/Derbies The onus is on the Caller on these to be run correctly Tear Down Putting the equipment away for the night
Part Two: Setup Most nights, the equipment will be in place and the only thing that needs done is to turn on the microphone and get the Bingo Computer ready. For those times that it is not, you will need to know what to do Ensure the big board is up towards the front of the stage, angled so that it can be seen by most of the gym. It should go on the left side of the stage (stage view looking out to the gym, kitchen side of stage). The Bingo Console goes more or less center stage, close to the plug in the floor so that you can plug in the system and the big board.
Part Two: Setup Open the left cabinet on the Bingo Console Remove cables Plug in the gray cable with a phone jack-like connection into the Big Board. Plug the video cable into the video input plug on the Front of the stage Plug in computer, monitor and big board into the power strip and then plug power strip into power outlet in stage floor. Turn on the Computer, power switch on unit in that same cabinet. Close cabinet Microphone To use the microphone, you need to turn on the sound system Two power switches. One on the Mixer (Half way up on the front of the console) and one on the Amplifier at the very bottom Grab a microphone and stand If you need batteries for the Microphone, extras are in the plastic storage unit in the left cabinet of the bingo console. Lastly, turn on all 4 TVs for the players to see. There is a likelihood that you need to change the inputs on the TV. Each remote has an Input button. Just hit a few times until you get to the Bingo input
Part Two: Getting Started Now that the equipment is set up, you are ready to begin All of the Bingo games are pre-programmed and in order, so all you need to do is start the program and then change games as appropriate.
Part Two: Getting Started First thing to do is Start the Programmed Bingo games From the Startup Screen hit the Run Program Button You should see something like this: Press 1 and then Enter You should now see this: Press 1 and then Enter again
Part Two: Getting Started You will now have a screen that looks something like this (only less blurry, sorry about that)
Part Two: Getting Started This is the screen that will guide you through the Bingo night Tells you what game you are on Shows what the winning patterns are Shows how many balls have been played and what the last ball played is Gives you the timer for the current ball
Part Two: Playing Bingo
Part Two: Playing Bingo The equipment is ready. Your microphone is on and adjusted for you. The Bingo computer is running game 1 of the night and you are ready. Now, it s time to start following the Caller sheet/script that you will get from the Captain. As the caller, you basically just read the sheet to the players and then start calling numbers. Make sure you track where you are (have a pen handy) IMPORTANT NOTE: Know when to change games and drop the balls. Doing this at the wrong time can lead to a very, very bad night
Part Two: Playing Bingo In short, to play bingo: Get all the balls into the mixer Put the next random ball on the TVs for the players to see After the timer expires, call the number and register it on the computer Put the next ball on the TVs Repeat until someone calls Bingo Hit the Verify button Enter the bingo card number(s), one at a time to confirm the win Move on to next Pattern or next game (as appropriate) It pretty much is that easy
Part Two: Playing Bingo Assuming the game is ready on the computer and awaiting first ball.. First Dump the balls This is a two step process. Step One: Drop them from the number holding area by pushing the two levers on each side of the numbers forward. Step Two: Twist the handle on the back side of the console to empty them into the mixer area Second Turn on the Lamp, Mixer and Blower This will get things moving and will put a ball at the top of the selection tube Third Put the ball on the Monitors Take the ball from the top of the selection tube and place it in front of the camera. Make sure it is lined up on the screen for the players to see.
Part Two: Playing Bingo Fourth Once the timer expires (or after 10 seconds or so for the first ball), call the number to the players and place the ball in the appropriate spot on the board, pressing down to register it with the computer You do not need to add words or anything, simply say: B 12 or N 33. That s it. Say the number, register it and move on Fifth Get the next number on the screen Repeat as necessary until someone yells Bingo
Part Two: Verifying Bingo BINGO!! When someone yells Bingo, the caller must confirm the win This is really easy with the computer Push the VERIFY button Enter the free-space number from the bingo card face of the person who called BINGO using the numeric keypad and then press ENTER. Press the ENTER key again if you wish to verify other bingos called in that game and repeat Press the W key to calculate the payout to each winner, followed by the ENTER key. To exit the verify mode, press the ENTER key followed by the CANCEL key BIG NOTE: If the computer says it is not a winner, make sure you double check the numbers manually. Sometimes the card and the machine have hiccups
Part Two: Moving to the Next Game Ok, this is where the Caller must really pay attention to where they are in the night. When a game ends, there are two options to move to the next game. Dropping the balls, clearing the board and moving to a new Bingo Sheet Keeping the currently called balls and moving the next Pattern IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHOOSE CORRECTLY HERE
Part Two: Moving to the Next Game The game is done and you need to move to the next game, but which option do you choose!?!? It s really simple If the players are moving to a new Bingo Sheet, then it s time to drop the balls, clear the board and start fresh. However, if you are moving to the 2 nd game on a sheet, for all of our Regular games, then you keep the balls and just move to the next pattern. This will clear the board Make sure you are really ready for that to happen. It will ask you to confirm this choice This just moves to the next pattern of the programmed game. You can do this with no repercussions.
Part Two: Continue with Bingo Ok, we have gone through a game. A couple of notes: A Ball is not valid until the Caller says it out loud. If someone calls bingo for the ball on the screen, they are not a winner and they will get chastised from the other players If you register the wrong number you can remove it by hitting the CANCEL button and then entering the number and finally hitting ENTER It is important to have a good pace. Have the ball that you are calling in hand and ready to register in the computer as the timer is about to run out. Get the next number on the camera stand as quickly as possible. The Money Ball: After the early birds and before the regular night starts, you will draw the money ball. If anyone wins Bingo on this ball, they will a special jackpot prize. There is a magnet to place on the number board so that you can remember it.
Part Two: Continuing with Bingo More Notes: Wild Numbers: Some games have wild numbers. What this means is that before the game starts, you draw a ball and whatever the last digit is, all numbers that end in that digit are wild. As an example, I draw N35, all numbers that end in 5 are wild. B5, B15, I25, N35, N45, G55, O65, O75 You can just manually hit the buttons in the number board to get them registered Make sure you give the players time to mark their cards If one of the wild numbers comes up the chute, just skip it. Games with no N s, or not B s and O s: Some game winning patterns do not require certain letters. When this happens, pay attention and if one of these comes up the chute, just skip it. If you forget, the players will remind you in a wave of anger and frustration that you would never believe.
Part Two: Continuing with Bingo Even More Notes: Prizes: The Floor workers are listening to you on how much a game s winnings are. If you don t know, 50/50 or other special, make sure you get that info from the Captain for the night. Follow the caller sheet: Everything you need for the night is on there. Just read it and follow it.
Part Two: Holders and Derbies This is where the ability to multi-task and plan comes in. It is totally up to the caller to get any of the Holders and Derbies incorporated into the night You CANNOT play a holder or Derby if the game has a wild number. You SHOULD NOT play a holder or Derby during the first 2 Early Bird games or during the final JACKPOT Game. Be Careful when playing a holder or Derby in games that don t have all letters being played. You can do it, you just inform the players that you are and when they come up, just call the number quickly for the derby/holder only and move on Ensure that whatever Derby/Holder you are playing is clearly known to the players and confirm the serial number at least twice
Part Two: Holders and Derbies As noted in Part One of this brief, Holders and Derbies are side games that are playing in conjunction with the Bingo game. These are big money makers and, while it makes the Callers life a little more complicated, are worth the extra effort From a Callers perspective, there is nothing in the computer to help you with these. You must initiate them and verify them by hand. This means confirming the Serial Number of the game being played and any potential winning numbers.
Part Two: Holders and Derbies The games themselves are explained in pretty good detail in the first part of this brief, so no need to add anything. Tips and Notes: Know how each game is played. When you are going to Play Dab Them Balls, make sure floor workers know and be ready for a winner with the first ball. Don t delay Bingo for the Holder Get the next ball on the screen Remember when playing holders/derbies on regular bingo, that they are for the bingo sheet, so you have 2 games to get the winner. If you haven t gotten your winner by the time you get the final Bingo! winner for the sheet, then you must complete the holder/derby before moving on. Get the balls on the screen for all to see, call it and move on to the next ball until you get a winner
Caller Cheat Sheet Setup Equipment, Microphone and Sound System. Turn on TVs Get Caller Sheet from Captain Find out about special prizes Plan Holders/Derbies Start on Time. Keep a Good Pace. Before hitting NEXT GAME Ensure you are played all games for that Bingo sheet Ensure you have finished any Holder/Derby When it is time for NEXT GAME Remember to drop the balls
Tear Down At the end of the night, it is the Caller s responsibility to get the equipment put away Turn off the 4 TVs in the gym and put the remotes on the top of the console. Turn off the microphone and sound system Unplug the data cord from the Bingo Big Board. Unplug the video cable from the front of the Stage. Open the left cabinet on the Bingo Console, turn off the computer and put all the cables in here. Roll the console over to the storage area and place the cover over top of it Make sure the Monitor on the Bingo Console is still upright Roll the big board over to the same area against the wall, ensure that band room door is not blocked.
Close That s it. Bingo is not difficult, yet it provides the school with loads of income. If everyone working a Sunday follows the things laid out in this training, the night will go smoothly and quickly. Thanks