Play Bingo

Astonished to hear his own name, this time the farmer is more easily engaged in conversation. Hes also embarrassed that this gentleman seems to know him well and yet he cant return the favour. The rest of the conversation takes place in a tavern, where the two strangers in town sharing a pot of wine and play bingo. And, as if in a stage play, it is here that another character joins them, the Verser. The Verser and the Setter seem to be old pals and he generously offers to buy the next pot of wine. The Setter has a better idea: he suggests they playa game of cards for it instead. While the Setter goes to the bar to fetch the wine as they play bingo the Verser makes the farmer party to a little joke. He tells him that when the game is played he will cut a few cards, about five, from the top of the pack to the table. As he makes the cut hell secretly let the farmer see the bottom card of the larger halfbefore the pack is reassembled and squared. He should remember that card and call it out when asked. How can the farmer refuse to play his part in a jest among friends?

The Setter returns, more wine is drunk and the bingo game begins. It is a new game, called Mumchance. The online bingo deck is shuffled and cut and each man, the Setter and Verser, calls out a card. Whichever card appears first as they are dealt from the bottom of the deck wins the game. The loser pays for the wine. As an afterthought, and to make it fairer, the Verser says that the farmer, this honest man, shall call out his card for him.

The cards are shuffled and cut and the Verser secretly flashes the bottom card to the farmer as agreed. When asked to choose a card, the farmer calls it out and because it is only half a dozen cards from the bottom of the deck, it is virtually certain to turn up before the Setters card. When the Verser wins the game, the farmer is relieved not to have let his new friend down. But hes probably also glad the free bingo games is over. Having no doubt been warned about cheats and rogues, hes now dismayed to find he has become one.

Unfortunately, the Verser, buoyed by his success, suggests a second game and unless the farmer wants to cause serious embarrassment, he is forced to go along with it and again call out the card the Verser shows him. At the end of this, he has twice conspired in a scam against a total stranger and while it might be only for two pints of wine, it is more than he ever thought himself capable of. So the Verser lightens the victims conscience by revealing to the Setter that it was just a bingo trick. Rather than being angry the Setter is pleased to have been let in 011 the stunt. He reciprocates and teaches the Verser and the farmer a simple bingo online card trick. Now they are all friends together.