It’s perhaps an unlikely contender for hottest craze of 2016, but it looks like bingo is set to see a huge resurgence in popularity this year.

Being touted by commentators as the latest hip pursuit, bingo is gaining a new cool reputation thanks to alternative nights, such as London’s provocatively named ‘Rebel Bingo’. With The Guardian and even the BBC reporting recently on the renewed popularity of bingo, the game’s fortunes certainly seem to be on the up.

Freddie Sorensen, found of Rebel Bingo, has said that bingo should be exciting. ‘Everyone’s involved, everyone in the room is in the show. It’s happening for you; everyone in the room reacts to every single number,’ he says.

This is in-your-face bingo – bingo with, well, balls. Traditional bingo halls are starting to follow suit, with large venues introducing more casual lounge areas, where players can talk, socialise and even listen to music while playing. This, together with the fact that online play has made bingo more accessible than ever, has boosted the game’s credibility and is introducing it to a new generation. 21st Century bingo fans won’t be surprised to learn that research shows the profile of the ‘average’ player to be changing: modern bingo players are just as likely to be young working professionals as pensioners.

It’s not just a social activity, however. There’s an unmistakable buzz that players get from playing such a fast-paced game, with potentially huge cash prizes on the line. Bingo has even been shown to improve players’ health, thanks to its ability to sharpen memory skills and concentration, and provide stress relief.

If you’re new to the game but keen to jump on the bandwagon, check out Wink Bingo’s Complete Guide to Bingo. This accessible guide covers the rules of the game and its variants, with hints on strategy and ways to maximise your winnings.