Bingo Syndicates

A syndicate is any group of two or more people who play a game and agree to equally divide both the costs and any prize money that is won. Syndicates are most commonly spoken of in relation to lotteries, but bingo players are also discovering that playing as a syndicate has a number of benefits...

• Because a syndicate plays as a group, the odds of syndicate members winning is increased. For example, a syndicate of five members has a chance of winning that is five times greater than that of an individual. Of course, any prize that is won would need to be split between five people, but when you consider that bingo prizes can be substantial, and wins more frequent, this is an arrangement that appeals to many players.

• Bingo syndicates can be established informally for one particular session or they can be ongoing. Whilst it is helpful to set clear rules before playing as a syndicate, there is no legal process that players need to go through to establish a syndicate.
   

• Playing as a syndicate can enhance the social side of bingo, since all members are genuinely rooting for each other to win, and they all benefit no matter which member succeeds.

If you would like to try playing bingo as a syndicate, you first need a few trusted friends who aren’t likely to decide that they want to keep all of the syndicate winnings to themselves if they get lucky. Then get together and decide on the following:

• When and where you will play as a syndicate. Ideally you should all play together in the same club (offline or online) and at the same time, and you should all agree that any prizes won during those specific sessions will be shared between all of you.

• How many tickets you will buy each and how any prize money will be shared. It is recommended that you agree to buy the same number of tickets so that prize money is shared equally and there is no room for argument or misunderstanding.

• How long your agreement will be valid for. Will you play as a syndicate every time you play at the same club together, or just now and again when you all specifically agree to do so? Both approaches are valid, but it is important that you are all clear on this point before starting to play.

With the prizes offered in online and offline bingo games growing month on month, playing as a syndicate is well worth considering. After all, logic alone dictates that it is better to receive a share of even a modest prize than 100% of no prize.

Last Updated: 07/02/2008 10:52:22