Don Clemente's cards also had a part in representing and normalizing different aspects of Mexico's national identity during the 19th century. The images Don Clemente used in his card designs have become iconic in Mexican culture, as well as gaining popularity in the U.S. His version of the game was distributed to Mexican soldiers along with their rations and supplies. In the beginning, lotería was a hobby of the upper classes, but eventually it became a tradition at Mexican fairs.ĭon Clemente Jacques began publishing the game in 1887. The game originated in Italy in the 15th century and was brought to New Spain (modern Mexico) in 1769. The origin of lotería can be traced far back in history. History Lotería game based on cacao being played at the Universum museum in Mexico City Set up of a lotería game at the Museo de Culturas Populares in Toluca Animation showing traditional ways to win The winner is the first player that shouts ' ¡Buena!' or ' ¡Lotería!' right after completing a tabla or a previous agreed pattern, similar to bingo: row, column, diagonal, four corners, or unique to this game, or four in a square ( a pozo')'.

In Mexico, it is traditional to use small rocks, crown corks or pinto beans as markers. Each player locates the matching pictogram of the card just announced on their board and marks it off with a chip or other kind of marker. One by one, the caller picks a card from the deck and announces it to the players by its name, sometimes using a verse before reading the card name.

To start the game, the caller ( cantor, Spanish for 'singer') shuffles the deck. The traditional Lotería card deck is composed of a set of 54 different cards, each with a different picture. Players choose a tabla (Spanish word for 'board') to play with, from a variety of previously created tablas, each with a different selection of images. Each player has at least one tabla, a board with a randomly created 4 x 4 grid of pictures with their corresponding name and number. Every image has a name and an assigned number, but the number is usually ignored. Lotería (Spanish word meaning 'lottery') is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo,and is played on a deck of cards instead of numbered ping pong balls.

Printable blank bingo card