After a recent bingo session at Jacks Live Bingo and a real laugh a minute with both Abi and Ophelia, two of the live bingo callers at this internet bingo site, we got the chance to chat with Abi one to one on the telephone and pose a few questions to her about her job, how she got into it, what she loves and loathes about it. Continue reading theinterview with Abi, a Jacks Live Bingo caller.
Nickie: Hi Abi, thanks for taking the time out of your hectic schedule to talk to us. How did you become a live bingo caller for Jacks Live Bingo?
Abi: I came straight out of school, did presenting training and a couple of pilot shows, worked as a promotions girl for Mercury FM and then had the interview for this job and luckily got it! I always wanted to be in front of the camera.
Nickie: How long have you been doing it now?
Abi: I started at Jacks Live Bingo part time at October 2008 and went full time January 1st 2009 so just over a year.
Nickie: Do you know any of the bingo lingo?
Abi: Funnily enough, whenever I tell someone what I do for a living this is the first question I always get asked! I do know a few but as we don’t use them in our calling at Jacks Live Bingo I haven’t spent the time learning them all YET!
Nickie: What about your job do you enjoy the most at Jacks Live Bingo?
Abi: Just talking! Jacks Live Bingo have a young team, it’s not like you are actually working – it’s just fun! We learn a lot every day from players and the team alike. It’s ideal for someone like me, a people person – a gas pot!
Nickie: What about it would you change if you could?
Abi: The ability to have two presenters in front of the camera at once – to bounce of each other and interact more with the players. It would be nice if people could see all of us – we could model new outfits and show off even more.
Nickie: It must be tough trying to keep up with everyone chatting in the room AND calling the bingo numbers – do you think it’s easier for you as a female rather than the male callers? After all, we all know men can’t multi-task successfully
Abi: It was the one thing that really worried me, the ability to read, call and try and keep up with chat. We are backed up by the producers at Jacks Live Bingo so if something is missed somebody will always pick up the ball we dropped.
Nickie: What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you in your time as an internet bingo presenter at Jacks Live Bingo?
Abi: Some of the usernames are pretty funny – we had a user sign up with an hilarious name that I can’t repeat and I couldn’t stop laughing for ages. Often a player will say something funny in the chat room and it can be misread, this will set me off and that’s it – I’m off on one. Trying to call the bingo numbers whilst doubled up on the floor is impossible.
Nickie: And of course, the most embarrassing thing to happen to you live on air at Jacks Live Bingo?
Abi: Running through to get into the studio and hitting the door full on that didn’t open. Generally falling over things! And lack of geographical knowledge; this I know Nickie can clarify being in the room today when I thought Harrogate was in London!
Nickie: G2 Gtech, the new software for St Minver sites are planning to launch live bingo callers – do you think this will affect sites like Jacks Live Bingo?
Abi: Of course its competition, but we are 3 years ahead of the market and have built up a fantastic online community in that time by our expertise in live caller bingo and the others are playing catch up!!
