Lotería is a game that is closely related to Mexican culture. This traditional card game has been passed down many generations in Hispanic/Latinx households and brings friends and family together during holidays or social gatherings. It can transport you to an abuela’s house, to a cousin’s birthday party or a friend’s backyard on a summer night..
 

“Lotería” is the Spanish word for lottery. While it is a game of chance, the rules of the game are more similar to bingo, hence sometimes referred to as “Mexican bingo.”
 

“Originating in Italy in the 15th century, Lotería first moved to Spain before reaching Mexico in 1769. The rules are similar to bingo in that players mark spots on a tabla, or board, with a token (traditionally a raw bean) and attempt to fill it before all other players. A designated card announcer randomly pulls colorfully illustrated cards like “La Luna,” or “El Arbol,” and sometimes improvises poetic descriptions that match spaces on the tablas,” per Google Doodles.
 

The first player with four chips in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal position wins the game after shouting “Lotería!”
 

Lotería has also been used for educational purposes. It gives students a way to practice speaking, writing and connecting words to images. You will find it in several high school classroom settings.
 

We.Unidos would like to invite you to join us in a game of Lotería and learn about a little piece of Mexican culture.