Housie, has to be one of the most played games, of all time. Based purely on luck, it is a surefire hit with people of all ages. The pace, the interesting game variations, the competition to get the prizes – it’s a ton of fun! Needless to say, we play it all the time. And we often adapt the game & complicate it. For example, we play a game of Tambola where we have to add 1 to the number called and cross that on our tickets. Or, we play with two or three tickets. Today, we want to talk about a Housie game variation idea for party, that outdoes all other housie variations. Where you really need pay attention, if you’re going to win. Interested?
Before I get into the details of our housie variation idea, I would like to clarify what housie is for readers who haven’t played it. They’re basically, Indian adaptations of Bingo. You have 1 or more tickets with 15 numbers on each ticket. But, no alphabets. The game moderator calls out the numbers, and like Bingo, you have to cross them out to win prizes. Pretty simple.
Materials:
- Housie Tickets
- Pens & boards for the players
- Story for the Housie (You can choose between 3 of our stories here)
How to play Housie:
The game play is very similar to a normal Tambola/ Housie. The game starts with tickets being handed to the players & the prizes being explained (lines, houses, columns, four corners etc). Next, a moderator who has a loud and clear voice is chosen to read out the story for the players. Let’s call this person Clarity!
Clarity, starts reading out the story & crosses the numbers as she comes across them. All the numbers from 1 to 90 have been used in the story, so Clarity needs to cross them out on the numbers board, as they’re called out.
The game progresses as usual, with people calling out when they have completed a line or house or any of the prizes decided. This is where, the numbers board is useful to check if the number has been called out or not.
Here’s an excerpt from a story:
IN THE 16TH CENTURY, IN INDIA THERE LIVED A 47 YEAR OLD WIDOWED MOTHER WITH HER 20 YEAR OLD SON.
As you can see, the numbers 16, 47, 20 and so on would be called out, in the course of the story. So alert players, who have that number need to cross it out on their tickets.
What’s fun is, people often get so engrossed in the story, that they forget to listen for the numbers. And the confusion is obviously great! (That doesn’t make me sadistic! All’s fair in love, war & games!)
For example, one of the stories is about a young man who sets off from home to seek his fortune, from a seer. During his journey, he meets interesting people who need his help. At the end of his journey, he chooses to fulfil their needs instead of his own. Once these requests have been met with, he starts his journey back home. On the way, he meets & resolves all the concerns. And in this process, achieves all his dreams. It’s quite a simple story, but sweet. I remember my grandmother telling me the tale, as a bed night story!
Suggestions:
- Don’t keep a lot of complicated prizes. Because the game variation in itself it tough enough to follow.
- It’s way more fun, if you choose a person who reads with a modulated voice & slow enough for people to pick up the numbers easily.
Maybe I’ve still got stories on my mind. But, I’m pretty sure you’ll have a blast playing this variation of the Housie game for your next party. So, play it the next time you have people over! And let us know, how it went 🙂
bhavna
Cn u plz provide me story tambola for beauty pageant theme kitty party
Pooja
Hi Bhavna, Thanks for getting touch with us about a story tambola! Making a beauty pageant themed one, is a great idea and we would love to help you out. Can you email us the details on thecraftablesofficial@google.com please? Like when you need it by, any more details on the theme etc. The more information we have, the better! I look forward to hearing from you!
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Deepak Nowlakha
Hey! This is a great way to play housie. I have to be an anchor for my cousin’s 50th anniversary party and we would love to play housie using a fairy tale. Can you please mail the story to me ASAP. Thank you.
Pooja
Hi Deepak, How are you? 🙂 I’m so sorry about the delay in sending the story. Looks like the comment was missed in the Christmas chaos over the past month. If you’re still interested in archiving the story for another time, do let me know, I’ll send it asap. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Sneha Haria
Hi..I have a kitty party on 19th January…this week, with Republic day
theme. Could you please provide me with a story tambola for the same asap
Thank you.
Sneha
Sneha Haria
Could you please provide me with a story tambola for Republic day theme asap
Thank you.
Sneha
Pooja
Hi Sneha, we just saw your messages. The game we have isn’t specifically for Republic Day. But a general story. I have sent an email with it right now. If you would like a customised one made, please email us your details on thecraftablesofficial@gmail.com and we’ll do our best to make it happen 🙂 Have a great day ahead!
Anish TT
Hey this game is superrrbbb.
We are going to have a picnic this weekend so i need a good story (if it is related to christians its great as it is Church’s picnic else u sent any other story which both kids and elders like together )
Please sent me ASAP within 2 days
Shruti Agarwal
Hi
Perfect idea
Can I have a story in Hindi.for elder members.
ASAp
Pooja
Thanks 🙂 Please check your mail for the story version available for free!
Anu
Hello! Can I have a Story in Hindi plz? ^^
Pooja
Hi Anu, unfortunately we don’t have this story written out in Hindi at the moment. However, we can make a Hindi story on these lines. If that’s alright, please let us know and we will be in touch over email:)
Anu
Ok Sure
Princy
Can you please provide me a story for 25th wedding anniversary of my parents.I tried to mail but it bounced back
Pooja
Hi Princy, sorry about the delay in replying to this message. We would love to make one for your parents 🙂 I also looked into why the mail bounced back and it looks like the ID mentioned is invalid. Could you please doublecheck the email ID entered and try again? Looking forward to hearing from you!
Parul
Hi
Can u pl suggest a story for a travel theme tambola.
Pooja
Hi Parul, that sounds really interesting! Mind if we take the conversation over email (thecraftablesofficialgmail.com), as we would need to write a fresh story for the same. Looking forward to hearing from you 🙂
Khushoo
Hello pooja, the mail id of yours
(thecraftablesofficialgmail.com) shows invalid. Can you please provide valid one.
Thanks
Khushboo
Aarti
Hi, can u provide me a story with holi theme for kitty party tambola.
Priti dhoot
Can you please provide me a tambola story..It is to be played by couples on a silver anniversary party…
Vijay A
Very nice.can you send me story for a Holi party to play housie
Anamika
Hi, ur story theme is awesome! Is it possible for u to make a story based on april fool.. I hv a kitty in april. Thanks in advance
Bharti
Can I have a story based on summer theme
Pooh
Hi
Can you send me any housie stories for kitty party, we have not chosen any theme yet so open to options
Pranita Singhal
hello, Can I get the story in Hindi for a family birthday party. It can be based on any theme but a funny story is preferrable.
I would be happy if i get one asap.
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Jyoti agarwal
Hii …..can I have a story on floral theme kitty party.
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