Ambo, terna, quaterna, cinquina and go with the bingo! Who does not know the most traditional and popular game in Italy. Not just a game but an indispensable habit for most families who like to spend their holidays at home Christmas festivities.
The bingo
According to tradition, bingo was born in 1734 from a discussion between the King Charles of Bourbon and the Dominican friar Gregory Maria Rocco about the lotto game. The sovereign wanted to control the game publicly to stem the spread of the clandestine lot; while Father Rocco considered him immoral on an ethical and religious level. In the end, as often happens, a compromise is found: the lottery game is forbidden during the Christmas holidays and, instead, families are allowed to play at home. And here comes the tombola that still today gladdens the festive tables.
The home batch changes its name to "tombola“, thanks to the cylindrical shape of the numbered wooden card and the resemblance of the same to the pillow of the past. Today as then, the pleasant custom of play with 90 numbers which are mixed in a bag or basket and then drawn by lot, one at a time. Whoever manages to get two, three, four or even all the numbers in his card during the various draws naturally wins and clears everyone. Until a few years ago, beans or peels were used to score points mandarin and orange. A further familiar and local characterization of a game that has always truly united family members and acquaintances. Contagious joy to which it is difficult, even today, to remain immune and insensitive.
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