Bingo Caller Pro

Brief Description:

Bingo Caller Pro provides a complete bingo experience for users wanting more features than those provided by the free Bingo Caller. Bingo Caller Pro is $10 shareware and can be tried in Demo Mode for ten minutes after each launch without registration.

Version 1.3.1 reduced the shareware price from $20 to $10. Version 1.3.0 added a Game Pays Maintenance window to let you choose which Game Pays amounts should show in the Game Pays drop-down menu and change Game Pays amounts.

When you open Bingo Caller Pro, you see the window below which is suitable for a display with 800 x 600 pixel resolution. Bingo Caller Pro can be used with a projector and an audio system for a large gathering or just used on a Mac for personal use. Although Bingo Caller Pro can be used with OS 10.2 or later, the voices included with Leopard (10.5) are much better.

Flash Board: The Flash Board displays the full range of 75 numbers in the appropriate rows of B through O with 15 numbers each. These black numbers have a white background which turns yellow when called.

Bonanza Games: When Bonanza is selected, the quantity of pre-called numbers can be chosen from 38 to 45 for the Setup.

Automatic or Manual "Calling": BCP allows the numbers to be called automatically at an adjustable rate or at the discretion of the Operator.

Sound: If preferred, the numbers can be called using the voice of the computer. Sound is always ON during a Speedy game and during Call Back.

Speedy Game: When Speedy is selected, most of the text is changed to Red. The Full Card is shown as the Winning Pattern, but a different Winning Pattern can be selected, and a second alternating Winning Pattern can be added. In Automatic mode, the numbers are called at a rapid pace. The calling rate can be adjusted using the "Calling Speed" slider. Sound is ON automatically during a Speedy game, and only the Letter and Number are called.

Winning Patterns: BCP supports up to two Winning Patterns. If two Winning Patterns are selected, the Winning Pattern display alternates between the Patterns. The "Patterns" menu item brings up a window to allow the Operator to create or to edit Winning Patterns.

Game Pays: A Drop-Down menu allows the Operator to select the Prize amount.

Wild Number: BCP allows a Wild Number other than "N" to be "called" at the start of the session. The Wild Number is displayed for the remainder of the bingo session unless the Operator decides to turn Wild Number OFF, in which case Wild Number remains OFF for the remainder of the session.

Last Called Number: The Number of the last called number is displayed.

Next Number Display: The Number to be called next is displayed if the checkbox is checked.

Numbers Called Display: The Quantity of called numbers to that point in the game is displayed.

Call Back: Click the Call Back button to hear UNCALLED numbers on the Flash Board (e.g., when checking the validity of a "Bingo"). Hold down the Shift key and click on the Call Back button to hear CALLED numbers. The Calling Rate of CALLED numbers is adjustable by the Operator from 5 to 15 seconds between numbers. Press both the "Command" and "s" keys together on the keyboard to stop calling of CALLED or UNCALLED numbers.

Calling Speed: When BCP is in the Automatic mode, the Calling Speed slider can be set by the Operator to change the rate the numbers are called. The Calling Speed range is adjustable from 15 to 5 seconds. The Calling Speed is shown digitally from 0 to 100 for convenience.

Even/Odd: Select the "Even" button to call only even numbers. Select the "Odd" button to call only odd numbers. If there is a Wild Number which is not even when "Even" is selected, the Wild Number is ignored for that game. If there is a Wild Number which is not odd when "Odd" is selected, the Wild Number is ignored for that game.

Zippy: The Zippy button causes ALL numbers to be called silently and displayed on the Flash Board. (Zippy can be used to demonstrate that all numbers will be called.) Press both the "Command" and "z" keys together on the keyboard to stop Zippy.

Billboard: When Billboard is selected, called numbers, except in the Bonanza setup, are displayed in very large font on top of the Flash Board for approximately two seconds, after which time the Flash Board is displayed until the next called number.

Above you see a screenshot showing a called number when the BillBoard checkbox is selected.

Stomp Message: Press both the "Command" and "Option" keys together on the keyboard to bring up a flashing message that reminds players to "stomp" colored numbers. Press both the "Command" and "Control" keys together to clear that message.

Reminders: BCP reminds you if you forget to select the options for a Game Pays amount, a Winning Pattern or a Wild Number.

Operations:

Equipment Setup: Set up the Display or Projector and Screen that will be used and connect it to the Macintosh Computer. Connect the Audio output of the Computer to the facility's Public Address system. Connect power and turn on the equipment. The Macintosh Computer display and Display or Projector's resolution should be set to 800 x 600. If a Projector is used, it is suggested that the image on the screen be moved high enough to cause the Menu Bar to be OFF the screen. This will prevent the players from seeing the Menu Bar and being confused about the Menu Bar items that are used by the Operator when editing Winning Patterns, Printing Bingo Cards, etc. To prevent the Dock from getting in the way, it is suggested that the checkbox in System Preferences / Dock labeled "Automatically hid and show the Dock" be checked and that the Dock be positioned at the Left of the screen.

BCP Program Launch: Start Bingo Caller Pro by double-clicking the Bingo Caller Pro icon or application.

Automatic-Manual Setup: Choose the Automatic or Manual mode by clicking the appropriate button.

Bonanza Setup: To set up the Bonanza games, select the quantity of setup numbers you want to use, then Click the "Setup" button.

Play Games: Select the Winning Pattern(s), the Game Pays, and the Wild Number if desired. Select Sound if desired, and click the "Start Game" or "Continue" button. The "Enter" or "Return" key on the keyboard may be used to "Pause Game", "Continue", or "Start Game".

Manual Mode: Click the "Get Number" button to call each number.

Automatic Mode: The numbers will start being called immediately. The Caller may wish to say. "The First (or Next) number is:" before Starting or Continuing a game.

Sound: When Sound has been selected, the Letter and the Number will be spoken followed by the Letter and the Digit(s). In a Speedy game, sound is always ON and only the Letter and Number will be spoken.

Ending a Game: When a player says, "Bingo" in the Automatic mode, the Operator should click on the "Pause Bingo" button to pause the calling process. The "Enter" or "Return" key may be pressed on the keyboard to pause the game. If there are two Winning Patterns, the Operator can click on the Pattern to display the other Pattern. If two Winning Patterns are still chosen when the game continues, the alternating action will continue when calling is resumed. If a Winning Pattern is changed, the Game Pays amount must be selected for the next game. After all games have been completed on a card, click the "Clear Game" button. You will be asked to verify that you really want to clear the game.

Call Back: The "Call Back" button is used to hear the UNCALLED numbers shown on the Flash Board. Hold down the Shift key when clicking the "Call Back" button to hear the CALLED numbers. Click together on the Command and "s" keys on the keyboard to stop the calling.

Speedy Game: When Speedy is selected, most of the text is changed to Red. The Full Card is shown as the Winning Pattern, but another Winning Pattern can be selected, and a second alternating Winning Pattern can be added. In Automatic mode, the numbers will be called at a rapid pace. The Calling Rate can be adjusted using the Calling Slider. Sound is ON automatically during a Speedy game, and only the Letter and Number are called.

Bingo Cards: Sheets of "Cards" may be printed. Each 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper provides four uniquely numbered Bingo "Cards".

To Print Bingo "Cards":

Click "File" in the menu bar. Then, click "Page Setup" and select Portrait (not Landscape) layout, US Letter Paper Size, and 100% Scale.

Click on "Batch Size" in the menu bar. Select the desired quantity of Bingo sheets (1, 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100).

Click on "File" in the menu bar. Then, click on "Print Bingo Card Batch". Caution: Be sure the Copies quantity in the print dialog box is set for "1"; any other number will print that many IDENTICAL sheets.

Shut Down: To Shut Down the Bingo Caller Pro program, click on the Red Dot in the upper left corner of the window.

Winning Pattern Maintenance: Click on "Maintenance" in the menu bar and click on "Show Pattern Maintenance". The Pattern Maintenance window lists the Winning Patterns that can be used in the Winning Pattern Drop-Down menus. There are 109 default Winning Patterns and you can add new ones.

To Prevent a Winning Pattern in the list from appearing in the Drop-Down menus, uncheck the box to the left of the name of the Winning Pattern.

To Delete a Pattern permanently, click one time on a Pattern name and then click the "Delete Pattern" button.

To See a Pattern, double-click the Pattern name and the Pattern will appear in the grid.

To Edit a Pattern in the grid, click on a Black square to make it White and a White square to make it Black. After editing a Pattern, you may save the Pattern, using the same name, by clicking on the "Replace Pattern" button.

To edit the Name of a Pattern, click once on the name of the Pattern in the list, then pause and click on the name again. You may then change the name and press the "Return" or "Enter" key on the keyboard.

To Create a new Pattern, click once on any name in the list, then click on the squares as required to make the desired Pattern. Enter the name the new Pattern, then click on the "Insert Pattern" button. The new Pattern will be placed under the name selected in the list, or it will be added to the bottom of the list.

To Move a Pattern up or down in the list, click on the name and start to drag it to a new position. A thin line will appear; drag this line to the new position. When you stop dragging the line and release the mouse, the Pattern will be in the new position.

To Close the Pattern Maintenance window, click on the Red Dot in the upper left corner of the window.

Game Pays Maintenance: Click on "Maintenance" in the menu bar and click on "Show Game Pays Maintenance". Check all Game Pays amounts you wish to include in the "Game Pays" drop-down menu, and click on the "Red" or "X" Dot in the upper left corner of the Game Pays Maintenance window to close the window.

If you wish to change a Game Pays amount, click once on the amount of the Prize in the list, then pause and click on the amount again. You may then change the amount and press the "Return" or "Enter" key on the keyboard.

Above, you see on the left the default Game Pays amounts. Only checked amounts are displayed in the Game Pays drop-down menu.

Above in the middle, you see that the user has unchecked amounts under $1.

Above on the right, you see that the user has changed the $2 amount to be $2.50 and only two amounts are checked below $10.

Special Note: It is recommended strongly that the Speaking Rate be set at "Normal". This setting is found in System Preferences / Speech / Text to Speech. If using OS 10.5 or later, "Alex" is the suggested System Voice.

Note: Settings for Sound (ON/OFF), Calling Speed, Speedy Rate, Called Number Call Back Rate, Auto/Manual Mode, Bonanza selection, Bonanza Setup Numbers, Billboard selection, Print Batch Size, Bingo Sheet numbering information, Pattern Maintenance and Game Pay Maintenance are saved between bingo sessions.

Note: The User is responsible for conforming to all laws relating to the use of Bingo Caller Pro software.

Downloads:

Click here to download the Universal Binary version (3.2MB) for Macintosh (OS 10.2 or later).

Click here to download the Bingo Caller Pro Manual (pdf document).

Click here to download the Requirements for BCP (pdf document).

Return to Index

Please send comments and suggestions to youngpr@myactv.net