Cute Loteria Cards

The babyshower BINGO Loteria is BILINGUAL: Spanish and English! Whether you're a fluent Spanish-speaker or just looking for a fun way to practice, this game will be both fun and even educational!? The ARTWORK features cute cards such as baby shampoo, baby food, high chair, and even a diaper bag! Custom Loteria Full Cards, Mexican Loteria Board, 4x4 Loteria Characters EmpowerwithVal. 5 out of 5 stars (27) Sale Price $2.40 $ 2.40 $ 4.00 Original Price $4.00' (40% off) Favorite Add to Loteria 'Traditional Images' (54 Separate Files) Reg. 54.95 On Sale Now!

• Cute Loteria Cards Coloring Pages
• Cute Loteria Cards

I had seen those Mexican Bingo images everywhere. The Drunk, The Mermaid, The Crown, The Heart, etc. Cute and silly and there are a helluva lot of them. Except for all the names being in Spanish, I never really noticed that they are particularly Mexican (even though I had seen them all over Mexico). Mostly on paintings, cards, t-shirts, mugs, matchboxes, whatnot, what have you.

THEN I opened a store in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico with another gringa loca (crazy white girl) who was way more in the know than me. Her name is Julie and she was unfortunately in charge of teaching me a lot of shit about Mexican culture before our first buying trip in Guadalajara pre-grand opening. She told me we were gonna “Get our La Loteria on!” in a big way.

La What? La Profitable!

The Hardcore Backstory of La Lotería

Gambling is fun, let’s face it. Even Bingo is a good time…and I’m relatively young! Cards kill time and build friendships in ways other games can’t. Uppity folks in Italy and Spain knew this and played regularly as early as the 1400’s. It made sense for Hernan Cortés and his troops to bring a few decks of cards with them to play during the Spanish Conquest of México while plundering the natives of “New Spain”. Basically, when the Spaniards took time out from stealing land and enslaving Mexicans, they would kick back and enjoy a few games for laughs, money, pride or whatever.

I guess one good thing the Spanish conquerors did was introduce a taste for cards into México. Cortés himself was a great card player as it turns out. This introduction led to 2 very distinct, yet equally important games:

The Difference Between La Loteria and The Lottery

After all the battles of the War of Independence were over, lotteries and raffles were set up all over Central and South America. Lima, Peru was the first New World place to have an official lottery. It was introduced after an earthquake destroyed a local hospital and the archbishops there decided to institute a citywide lottery to rebuild the hospital with the profits.

Mexico needed profits to rebuild its post-war everything. BIG TIME. So in 1771, it became the second country to establish a legal lottery with the first big jackpot of $84,000 pesos.

“This vice, or time-honored habit – intelligently channeled towards good, so that it might benefit the poor and deprived, relieving them in their distress – is what gave rise to the lottery. Good engendered by evil: this was the idea proposed by the kindly King Charles III, who founded the lottery in his dominions of New Spain.”

—Artemio de Valle Arizpe in ‘A Brief History of the Mexican Lottery’ in “The Art of Fortune” by Artes de México.

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And when we say ‘good engendered by evil’ we are talking about how all of the Catholic muckety mucks declared gambling as evil…even if it was ultimately for good. By 1782, after 11 years of successful fundraising (and some exploitation to line King Charles III’s royal pockets), México’s jackpot would commonly get to BIG MONEY. The PowerBall (if you will) would get to $715,000 pesos, which was a shit ton in 1782!

Since this was clearly a lucrative business, some clergymen and nuns got in the game…creating mini-raffles similar to La Loteria cards, but naming the cards after saints and relics. Douchey.

Long story short…México still to this day has its own National Lottery called Lotería Nacional with scratch-offs, PowerBalls and the whole shebang. This is NOT to be confused with the fun board game that is referred to as La Lotería. Yes, both types stemmed from the games of the Spanish soldiers, Cortés and King Charlie. However, La Lotería has much more cultural significance which is steeped in 200 years of history. The images of which have become iconic. No scratch offs, just loads of history.

Traditional La Lotería from 1887

So after 100-ish years of playing versions of La Lotería, a commercial board game version was created in 1887 by French entrepreneur, Clemente Jacques. He aptly called his widely sold game, “Don Clemente Gallo”. For those who have ever shopped in a Mexican grocery store or ‘super’, you have seen that name and that gallo (rooster) image before.

It was Clemente Jacques who came to Mexico to import games, seeds and canned foods and ended up establishing the first food processing and canning factory in México. This same dude made and marketed a timeless family-friendly game while feeding Latin America. Strange connection, but the company is one and the same.

Anyway, Señor Clemente Jacques mass produced a formal game of La Lotería. His version has a total of 54 images that each include a picture, a name and a number. Each one depicts a unique characteristic of México…food, Catholic beliefs, Aztec beliefs, booze and Mother Earth essentials. Frankly, Teresa Villegas says it better…

“Every culture has its idioms and icons -certain words and images that transcend the literal and reside in the psyches of the people. This artwork has drawn upon Mexican traditions, historical figures, gastronomy, and popular culture, translating them into images familiar and recognizable to those who have experienced this distinctive culture. ” And Teresa drops the mic…BOOM.

How to Play

Each player is given a La Lotería board that has 16 images and a hand full of beans, bottle caps, rocks or whatever is lying around. Then a caller gets ready to rumble…He or she draws a card like a bingo caller fetches a ball out of that whirling dervish of a metal cage.

The caller is the crucial part of the game and plays the Emcee, the ‘Fair and Balanced’ Entertainer and the Riddler. The unique aspect of calling out the randomly chosen images, numbers or names is that they don’t actually call them out at all. WHAAATT?? The caller uses riddles, puns or jokes to note which image/number/name is being called. Depending on the audience, he or she can be quite tame or risqué AF.

Remember, this game has been played in churches, schools, dirty cantinas and table dance joints all over México for over 200 years. #dontjudge

Sound confusing? I agree, but it’s actually genius and if it is used in grade schools to teach kids objects and words, it’s gotta be good! I personally think it’s pretty hilarious that one of the images is ‘El Borracho’ which is ‘The Drunk’ in English. Little kids in grade school are learning that shit pretty early in life! Foreshadowing? Si. 🙂

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The riddles that are called out range from obvious to downright clever. Here are my Top 10 Tame Faves:

1. El Diablito – The Devil – Behave yourself so that the little red one doesn’t carry you off.

2. La Calavera – The Skull – As I passed through the graveyard, I found a skull.

3. La Muerte – Death – She walks through the bones, waiting to catch you and take you to heaven.

4. La Sirena – The Mermaid – The love of every sailor, sings with the sea, and entangles you with her hair.

5. El Nopal – The Cactus – To which all go to see when they have to eat.

6. El Corazon – The Heart – It beats, tomato in color, falls in love the very lover.

7. La Corona – The Crown – The hat of kings.

8. El Barril – The Barrel – The bricklayer drank so much that he ended up like a barrel.

9. La Botella – The Bottle – As a microphone for the drunk and as a remedy for the sick.

10. El Borracho – The Drunk – Playing goes with his body, which he cannot control and falls to the ground.

When a pun is called that matches one of the images on your board, you put a bean or a bottle cap on the square. Once you have 4 squares across or 4 squares down or just 4 squares in the shape of a square, you win and you scream out LA LOTERÍA! And the crowd goes wild.

Millennial La Lotería from 2019

Fast forward to 2019 and you have a new way to play! You millennials are cray cray and are always coming up with fun and fanciful shit. This is an example that I LOVE! Did you notice the ‘La Selfie’ image at the top of this post? Creator, developer and my new 20-something hero, Gerardo Guillén has created the Millennial version of La Lotería! And in typical millennial fashion, you can follow the company on Instagram at @millennialloteria. #followustoo @TexMexFunStuff

No more El Diablo, El Corazon or La Corona…now we have La Selfie, El Tinder and La Dick Pick!

It comes with 46 cards, 10 boards and 80 bitcoin tokens. Bitcoin tokens? I can’t even! I bought 10 sets. Buy yours on Amazon here. If you want one or 10 of the classic sets you can get those here…

So I hope that clears a few things up for you…

Finally, I mentioned that my friend Julie educated me on all of this shit and she deserves some serious street cred for that. Her store (formerly our store) is called El Estudio! and it is located on the main drag in Merida, Yucatan, MX. When in the hood, stop by and see her and get some cool Lotería merch! You’ll recognize the store by the logo below…which is basically she and I as Catrinas – another blog post!! Peace out and thanks for reading!

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Are you looking for more inspiration from México? Check out the TexMex Fun Stuff Blog for more sights, sounds and badass-ness uncovered while exploring México searching for handmade fun stuff for you!

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Cute Loteria Cards Coloring Pages

Top 10 Best Loteria Card: Editor Recommended

The 10 Best Loteria Card Review:

1. Don Clemente Authentic Loteria Card Game Gift Box Set

Traditional card game similar to bingo. Each card has colorful image of popular Mexican figures. 10 boards, deck of cards. Loteria is a fun game for the entire family.

The lotteries cards contain highly symbolic images that many people find as useful as carto Mancy cards or tarot when asking simple questions requiring highly iconic answers.

Highlighted Features:

• Each card has colorful image of popular Mexican figures
• Loteria is a fun game for the entire family
• Traditional card game similar to bingo

2. Original Mexican Loteria Deck – Bingo Game Deck of Cards

Full set of Loteria deck cards, 54 new cards to play the Mexican traditional bingo game of loteria. This deck comes in the original printed box for easy storage.

This authentic deck is made of thick paper cards of 3.75″ by 2.5″ (no plastic). Use them as a spare deck for playing Loteria game or as decorative prints for your Fiesta party decoration.

Highlighted Features:

• Authentic Loteria game deck of 54 cards
• Cards made of thick paper of 3.75″ by 2.5″
• Each loteria card has a fully printed back
• Great for Fiesta party decorations
• Made in Mexico

3. Naipes Gacela Loteria Mexicana Family Set of 20 Boards and Cards

The game of Lotería is played similarly to American Bingo. In American Bingo, an announcer calls out the selected letters and numbers, such as “B-4″ and the players mark their game boards accordingly.

In Lotería, the announcer gives short poem or familiar phrase (often improvised) referring to the image on the card (e.g. “me lo das o me lo quitas” for the image of El Melon, “Verde blanco y colorado” for the image of La Bandera, “Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente” for the image of El Camaron).

Each player uses a chip -often a bean-to mark the corresponding spot on his or her tabla. In either game, the first player to fill the game board or tabla in a predefined pattern will shout “Lotería!” to win the game and receive a prize.

The audacity of the announcer gives the opportunity to appreciate its cleverness and style as to how he may approach the announcing. That style depends on the social context of where the game is being played.

He may use “white” humor at a bazaar or a church and if he is in an adult setting he may play with more suggestive and irreverent. Since the origin of the game, satire and references to contemporary events and politics are part of the world play involved.

Highlighted Features:

Cute Loteria Cards

• Loteria Mexican Bingo or Loteria Mexicana enjoy this Loteria Game with friends and family, use it for a mexican themed party decoration mexican party decorations, learn spanish, Up to 20 player mexican loteria set.
• Enjoy the mexican bingo includes 20 loteria boards for 20 players of loteria mexicana. It also includes a deck of bajaras mexicanas with traditional ilustrations and names, easy to play family friendly win the mexican lottery.
• 20 Players Enjoy this loteria set, play with family or friends, teach a class, learn spanish. Also with a mexican loteria deck Have a loteria party, you are getting the original mexican bingo loteria game with loteria cards.
• Launch a mexican party, mexican fiesta or loteria party, learn hispanic culture, win the mexican lottery or even play some drinking loteria. Mexican loteria cards serve as party decorations or party favors
• Tablet size is 8 1/4″ X 5 1/4″ and Card size is 3 3/4″X 2 3/8″ and comes in a plastic bag. take it anywhere, get fun with the family any place any time with this bingo mexicano tradicional loteria mexicana portable edicion mini.

4. Don Clemente Autentica Loteria Mexican Bingo

Mexican loteria is a wonderful, traditional card game similar to bingo. (Make the image appear on white background).

Loteria is also a form of folk art, as each of the colorful cards has an image of popular Mexican figures including “el catrin” (the gentleman), “el borracho” (the drunk), “la calavera” (the skeleton), “la chalupa” (the flower boat), etc. Great fun for the entire family.

Highlighted Features:

• Loteria is a form of folk art
• Traditional card game similar to bingo
• Great fun for the entire family

5. Original Loteria Bingo Game Set in Spanish, Mexican Loteria

The authentic mexican loteria game. Full game set for up to 10 players includes complete deck of 54 cards and 10 playing boards. Playing boards are printed in thick semi-gloss paper, deck of cards is printed in thick matte paper. Printed and packed in Mexico.

Highlighted Features:

• The original Loteria game from Mexico
• Game set for up to 10 players
• Includes full deck of 54 cards and 10 playing boards, and 1 cancionero.
• Printed in thick semi-gloss paper with printed back.
• Made in Mexico – No assembly required

6. Pop Threads Loteria Cards Mexican Lottery Bingo Infant Baby Boy Girl Bodysuit

Premium, pre-shrunk, cotton baby bodysuits made with soft, ring-spun cotton for tshirt comfort on delicate newborn baby skin. One-piece baby clothes available in baby blue, pink, gray, black and white in 6M, 12M, 18M and 24M sizes.

Baby bodysuits for girls and boys are a short sleeve style with lap shoulder. All ink, fibers, labels and fasteners have been rigorously tested for safety and environmental impact and are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.

Looking for cool baby gifts? Adorable baby bodysuits are the best baby shower gifts for boys and girls. Unique novelty print one-piece baby clothes are funny and cute for Christmas, birth announcements, 1st birthday gifts, or added to a gift registry too!

Don’t forget about 2nd baby gifts or 3rd or 4th – affordable baby clothes celebrate each new arrival without going overboard. Proudly printed and shipped in Austin, TX USA.

Highlighted Features:

• 100% Cotton
• Pull On closure
• Officially licensed Don Clemente Loteria Mexicana original artwork.
• Women men kids baby onesie toddler logo
• Snap crotch

7. Naipes Gacela Loteria Mexican Bingo

The game of Lotería is played similarly to American Bingo. In American Bingo, an announcer calls out the selected letters and numbers, such as “B-4″ and the players mark their game boards accordingly.

In Lotería, the announcer gives short poem or familiar phrase (often improvised) referring to the image on the card (e.g. “me lo das o me lo quitas” for the image of El Melon, “Verde blanco y colorado” for the image of La Bandera, “Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente” for the image of El Camaron).

Each player uses a chip -often a bean-to mark the corresponding spot on his or her tabla. In either game, the first player to fill the game board or tabla in a predefined pattern will shout “Lotería!” to win the game and receive a prize.

The audacity of the announcer gives the opportunity to appreciate its cleverness and style as to how he may approach the announcing. That style depends on the social context of where the game is being played.

He may use “white” humor at a bazaar or a church and if he is in an adult setting he may play with more suggestive and irreverent. Since the origin of the game, satire and references to contemporary events and politics are part of the world play involved.

Highlighted Features:

• Loteria Mexican Bingo or Loteria Mexicana, enjoy this Loteria Game with friends and family, use it for a mexican themed party decorations, mexican party decorations, learn spanish, Up to 20 player mexican loteria set with cards and boards.
• Enjoy the mexican bingo, this 20 player set is 5×8 inches and includes 20 loteria boards for 20 players of loteria mexicana. It also includes a deck of bajaras mexicanas with traditional ilustrations and with names, easy to play and family friendly, win the mexican lottery. Also includes 100 mexican bingo chips.
• 20 Players Loteria and 100 Chips – Enjoy this loteria set, play with all the family or friends, teach a class, learn spanish. Also comes with a mexican loteria deck and 100 chips, Have a loteria party, you are getting the original mexican bingo loteria game with loteria cards.
• Launch a mexican party, mexican fiesta or loteria party, practice your traditions or teach mexican and hispanic culture, win the mexican lottery or even play some drinking loteria. This boards and mexican loteria cards serve as party decorations or party favors for loteria bingo.

8. JIMMY’S TOYS Baby Shower Loteria Bingo Game

The ARTWORK features cute cards such as baby shampoo, baby food, high chair, and even a diaper bag! We designed this game with ‘neutral’ in mind, so whether you are planning for a boy or girl, this game will be great for both!

You can even place the cards as table decorations that players can then pick up once it’s time to play! We also included adorable baby face playing chips! May be used for boys and girls!

The gender-neutral design makes this game perfect for your baby’s gender reveal party! ♡ 10 playing table cards, 48 flashcards, and even includes chips! Standard traditional Mexican loteria size (approx. 5.5 x 8.5 in) with the same grey plaid backing you know and love! ♡

Highlighted Features:

• CELEBRATE the welcoming of your new baby with this adorable baby shower LOTERIA! If you are looking for baby shower games and ideas, look no further! This game is sure bring lots of fun and laughter to your new baby’s party!
• The babyshower BINGO Loteria is BILINGUAL: Spanish and English! Whether you’re a fluent Spanish-speaker or just looking for a fun way to practice, this game will be both fun and even educational!
• FAST SHIPPING: We ship out all orders the same day or next business day! By Jimmy’s Toys, sold by Jimmy’s Toys!

9. Jumbo Loteria Mexicana Family Mexican Bingo Game

Classic mexican loteria for hours of fun with the family. The package includes 20 cardboard game boards, 1 deck, 80 soft plastic chips and an now with an extra bag of 100 hard plastic mexican shape coins to enable additional players to enjoy the game.

The “sirena” top (mermaid) is censored from the original version. Choking hazard, contains small pieces, not intended for children under age of 3.

Highlighted Features:

• ¡Corre y se va corriendo! Recreate and enjoy the “mexican bingo” with this 20 colorful traditional loteria boards for hours of fun with family and friends.
• 1 loteria deck and 80 soft plastic chips (color may vary)
• Now bundled with full bag of 100 hard plastic, non toxic, metalic color mexican shaped coins so that everybody can enjoy the game! No more need to look for extra pieces to play.
• Real jumbo boards size 13″ by 9″
• Also perfect as a gift, spanish lessons and great family time.

10. Loteria Mexican Bingo Game Kit

When it comes to our customers’ satisfaction, we have one rule: settle for nothing but the best. That’s why we work only with premium quality products and suppliers, that are guaranteed to deliver to our high expectations.

Why is this product for you? Because you love to spice up the usual get-togethers with some Mexican fun that everybody will enjoy! The Loteria Mexicana is a brand-new way to make all your party guests get to know each other and make some great jokes while being a great host that helps people mingle.

Have fun with a unique game that allows the entire family and group of friends to enjoy themselves and relax. Some of the amazing features of this product: For 20 people Includes cards, boards and markers.

With original images Classy and fun game Great for learning Spanish ORDER NOW and create timeless memories with an original board game that will bring a smile on everybody’s faces

Highlighted Features:

• The Loteria Mexicana works on the same basic rules as the classical bingo, only with a twist that makes it more fun and enjoyable: all you need is for a designated announcer to give short poems or familiar phrases referring to the image on the card, then each player uses a marker to dot the corresponding spot on his or her board. The winner is obviously the first player to fill the tabla and to shout “Lotería!”
• In order to make sure that you will find everything you need for the entire family to play in the original box, we have added boards for 20 people, as well as two decks of cards so that the images don’t repeat themselves often. Moreover, you will also find 80 markers to dot the boards with, so the kit is complete with all the necessary items to play
• If you are a great host, you know how difficult it can be to get people to talk and to know each other, especially during the first hour of any party. The awkward part can stop now due to a fun and interesting board game that will get people laughing and break the ice: the Loteria Mexicana.
• One of the great parts about this board game is that it has no age limit. As long as the children have any basic Spanish knowledge, they too will be able to play and have fun with a 100% Mexican game that suits and invites the entire family to play.
• Although the main purpose of this board game is to have fun and spend time with the loved ones, it is also a great way to improve your Spanish knowledge by repeating and using basic or more advanced words and phrases that will help you to either describe or recognize the cards.