Buzz
If you adore bingo but crave a more interactive experience, consider delving into loteria. This beloved Mexican pastime substitutes images for numbers on the game boards. Listen attentively as the caller presents a riddle or names an image, then place a token on your board if you possess it. The first player to achieve 4 tokens in a row and exclaim '¡Lotería!' emerges victorious.
Procedures
Preparing the Cards and Boards
Designate a caller. Determine who will act as the caller or singer. This individual will draw cards from the deck and announce the name of each card, sometimes singing it in certain regions of Mexico.
Allocate 1 board to each participant. Every board (also referred to as a tabla) consists of 16 images arranged in a 4x4 grid.
- While each board contains 16 images, there are a total of 54 possible images, ensuring that each board is unique.
Pro Tip: To elevate the game's difficulty, contemplate providing each player with more than 1 board. For instance, equip each player with 2 boards to heighten the challenge.
Prepare tokens for each player. Depending on the number of participants, gather approximately 50 small tokens. These tokens will be placed on the board by players when the caller announces an image. Consider utilizing:
- Small stones
- Dried kidney beans
- Bottle caps
Determine whether you want to wager or vie for a prize. Engage in a discussion with other players to ascertain whether you'd like to place bets or pool funds to create a prize pool. Keep in mind that non-monetary rewards can also be offered.
- For instance, winners could receive candies, toys, art supplies, or flashlights.
Adhering to Loteria Regulations
Instruct the caller to draw a card and announce it by name. The caller selects a card from the deck and either reads or sings its name. Alternatively, the caller may opt to present a riddle instead of stating the card's name.
- For instance, the caller might say, 'For the sun and the rain. (Para el sol y para el agua.)' Or simply say 'el paraguas' to prompt players to search for the umbrella.
Fun Fact: Although the cards feature numbers, they are not utilized during gameplay.
Position a token on your board if you have the corresponding image. When the caller announces an image that you possess, place a token on that image on your board. Continue listening and marking the images you have.
- Keep in mind that you won't likely have every image called.
Scan for a line of 4 tokens and shout '¡Lotería!' Play continues until you create a line of 4 tokens diagonally, vertically, or horizontally. Be the first to call out '¡Lotería!' to win the game.
- In certain regions, you may shout '¡Buenas!' to claim victory.
Identifying Some of the Images and Riddles
Search for el corazón. When the caller sings out 'el corazón,' locate the image resembling an anatomical heart. Note that some card decks may feature a simplified heart shape. A common riddle associated with el corazón is:
- Do not miss me, darling, I'll be back by bus. (No me extrañes corazón, que regreso en el camión.)
Listen for la dama. On traditional loteria cards, la dama appears as a lady donning a teal two-piece suit with a fuschia hat and blouse. She carries a bunch of pink flowers in one hand and a red clutch in the other. A popular riddle for la dama is:
- Polishing as she moves, down the royal avenue. (Puliendo el paso, por toda la calle real.)
Fun Fact: La dama is one of the three women featured in the classic loteria card set.
Find la sirena. While you might initially associate la sirena with a mythical siren, it can also refer to a mermaid. Look for the mermaid with no top, a red tail, and black hair. One arm extends upward towards the blue sky. The caller might say:
- Don't let the songs of the siren lead you astray. (Con los cantos de sirena, no te vayas a marear.)
Identify el sol. El sol typically appears as a large, circular sun in bright red against a blue sky. It emits yellow rays and has a serious facial expression with eyes, nose, and mouth. It's often described as a blanket, roof, or coat for the poor. (La cobija de los pobres.)
- You'll hear the sun referred to as a blanket, roof, or coat for the poor. (La cobija de los pobres.)
Spot la chalupa. La chalupa depicts a small boat or sloop navigated by a woman along a river. Laden with fruits, vegetables, and vibrant yellow flowers, the boat is the focal point. The following riddle is commonly associated with la chalupa:
- Paddle and paddle goes Lupita, seated in her little boat. (Rema y rema va lupita, sentada en su chalupita.)
Helpful Hints
-
For loteria in Northern Mexico, use a tabla featuring 9 images instead of 16.
-
To raise the stakes, consider playing for prizes.
Essential Supplies
- Loteria cards
- Tokens
- Optional prizes
