How to Play Nuestra Nostalgia Lotería

Overview

Nuestra Nostalgia Lotería is a traditional Mexican game of chance similar to bingo, but it uses images on a deck of cards instead of numbers. Players mark images on their tabla (board) as the caller announces them. The first player to complete a designated pattern on their tabla wins.

Materials Needed

1. Lotería Cards: A deck of 54 unique cards, each featuring a different image.
2. Tablas: Each player has a tabla, which is a board with a 4x4 grid of 16 images.
3. Markers: Objects to mark the called images on the tablas (e.g., beans, coins, or small tokens).
4. Caller: A person or device to randomly draw and announce the lotería cards.

Setup

1. Distribute or Pick you Board (Tablas): Each player receives one or more tablas.
2. Prepare Markers: Ensure each player has enough markers to cover all 16 images on their tabla(s).
3. Shuffle the Deck: The caller shuffles the deck of lotería cards.

How to Play

1. Start the Game: The caller draws a card from the shuffled deck and announces the image (e.g., "El Gallo" for the rooster).
2. Mark the Images: Players look for the announced image on their tablas. If they find it, they place a marker over it.
3. Continue Drawing: The caller continues to draw and announce cards one by one.
4. Winning Patterns: Players aim to complete a designated pattern on their tabla. Common winning patterns include:

• Four Corners: Mark all four corner images.
• Horizontal Line: Mark all images in a single row.
• Vertical Line: Mark all images in a single column.
• Diagonal Line: Mark all images in a diagonal line.
• Full Tabla: Mark all 16 images on the tabla.

5. Calling "¡Lotería!": The first player to complete the designated pattern shouts "¡Lotería!" to signal that they have won.
6. Verification: The caller verifies the player's tabla to ensure the pattern is correct and the game is not a false win.
7. Restart or End: After a win is verified, the game can be restarted with new tablas, or it can end if the players decide.

Additional Tips

• Speed Variation: The caller can adjust the speed of drawing cards to make the game more exciting.
• Riddles & Sayings: The caller may use riddles and sayings instead of naming the specified card. This levels up the game by trying to guess what image will match the saying/riddle.

Optional Rules

• Penalty for False Calls: Players who incorrectly call "¡Lotería!" might face a penalty, such as missing the next round.
• Progressive Jackpots: For added excitement, you can introduce progressive jackpots where the prize increases if no one wins within a certain number of calls.

Enjoy playing Nuestra Nostalgia Lotería with your friends and family, and may the luck be in your favor!