Bingo Cheating

When run by charitable organizations, Bingo is relatively free of the crookedness that accompanies many other forms of gambling. A few professional operators who run these games at fairgrounds, amusement centers and other public places are not always satisfied with their percentage take and cheat the players of the big jackpot prizes, which they have advertised.

It is a simple move away. They plant a house player, usually a woman, in the crowd who wins the big prize and later returns it, receiving only a fee for her day's or night's work. She wins because she is given a couple of Bingo boards whose numbers have been recorded on a sheet of paper which the announcer keeps within view. Alternatively, sometimes-identifying marks are placed near the numbers on the master board, which correspond with those on the house player's cards. Then, as he draws the balls from the cage, the announcer miscalls one or more numbers. For example, if he sees that the house player needs B-8 and G-47 to go to the game, he pretends to read these two numbers from the next two balls drawn. The house player shouts "Bingo." The announcer goes through the motions of confirming the numbers as the usher checks the player's card and then casually replaces the miscalled balls in the game cage. The plant collects the jackpot and the other online bingo players are none the wiser.

Another method employed by cheating, the game announcers to creep the jackpot is accomplished as follows: The announcer's woman plant takes a front seat as close as possible to the announcer, making sure that no other player will be between them. To help facilitate the scheme, the woman plant plays ten or more game bet. The announcer continues drawing and calling numbers until his plant cues him by lifting and turning her head toward him. This signal informs the announcer that the plant requires one number to hit the jackpot. Once contact is made between the announcer and plant, the plant inaudibly calls the desired number. This is strictly a lip expression. The announcer, accustomed to the plant's lip movements, gets the message, and miscalls the next drawn number by calling the signaled number. The plant then shouts, "Bingo!" and the suckers are left holding the bag.