What a overall good time For us First time- ROOKIES....My mother in Law and I decided Saturday evening that we were going to visit this place on Sunday. Both her and I, had never played before so we went early to observe and see how things are done.
After driving around the crowded parking lot (shared with an auto parts store that has signs everywhere for their designated parking spots) for about 10 mins we were able to park. This was almost the farthest point from the entrance door to the Bingo building.
Upon entering, there is a manned Security desk, which at first, struck us as odd, but then realized this was actually a good thing, you just never know these days.
We walked up to the "Cashier desk" and listened, dazed and confused, as the lady rambled and explained the different "packages" that we could buy. Ohhhhh man, to say she could have speaking a different language would be putting it lightly. There are sooo many different papers or playing cards that you can play. We bought what she "suggested", i spent $12.00 and my MIL spent $16.00. and we each received a stack of some papers in different sizes. Because we were new and signed up for the member card, we received a cute black bingo bag/lunch box type of bag with a free Paint dobber..sooo cute and thoughtful. We then left to roam around the building as we had about 30 mins to wait.
We next walked up to the "pull tab desk" ohhhhh we thought we were confused when we left the cashier, this Pull tab desk pushed our confusion to whole new level. People were coming, buying them by the stacks. These ought to be good stuff, i thought to myself. The 2 ladies working were helpful but yet again, rambled off instructions on how to play and what to do with them. Together we bought about $15.00 worth. We were asking questions as we opened a couple of them, of course we did, because we have never done this before when one of the ladies says: go and open the rest of your tickets at your table. My MIL and I looked at each other, pretty sure wondering at the same time "what the heck did we just buy?" as we turned to walk away from that desk, the other lady spoke to the lady that was standing in line behind us and said "rookies, ya know?!" hmmmm, i was a little offended by that.
We moved on to the little snack counter that they had and wandered around looking at all the lil gifts and novelties that they had for sell. Cute things and good prices. We didn't buy anything. I noticed that they have free coffee and a closed in smoking room for bingo players that smoke while playing bingo. That's really cool, i thought.
We waited a few minutes longer than it was time for us to find a seat. We found an empty table towards the front of the room and sat. Got out our dobbers and we were ready.
At 4:15pm the Bingo started, you play one game at a time from your stack of papers. Hoping, looking and watching for that "pattern" to give you the BINGO!! Well, by the 3 or 4th game we finally had a clue as to what was going on. The speaker was slow between balls which was really good for us Rookies and they have light up signs all around that light up the numbers called. Looooong gone are the days of just one simple line, across, down, vertical....there are "patterns" that your Bingo card must get in order to win...woah !!
In between the Bingo games, they did the "pull tab games" we watched and listened and figured out how to play those lil darlings. Which i won $50.00 bucks on one.
I didnt know i was suppose to, but as the evening went on and at the end of every Bingo game the number caller would say on the speaker " We would like to thank the winner for their generous donation" what the...??? .why are you obligated to make a generous donation?? I do not understand that part. No wonder the lady stood in front of me for a sec after she handed me my $50 winnings, she walked away after i said "thank you" and i took my money.
We continued our night and didnt win any Bingo's...bummer but what a great time. I think this might be my new night out instead of going to Casino's. At Casino's i lose $20 in about 2 mins where Bingo i lose $12.00 in about 4 1/2 hours OR win it back plus some. Think my odds are better here than on the darn Lottery or Casino's.
The other Bingo hopefuls there seemed ok...not alot of chit chat going on or smiles and some had their good luck charms placed in front of them...Buddhas's, elephants, frogs, even seen a troll. The "regulars" definitely stood out and i made sure to steer clear of them. I have heard the stories of the vicious bingo lady.
we left around 7:15 and overall, we had a blast. We are already planning our next visit, probably this time on a Saturday. We want to try to do this again since now we are feeling a bit more confident on how this fun game works. We hope to make it our time together away from our husbands and kids =) read more