Vicki Baker
It would be a bit of a stretch to say that bingo, that staple of nursing home social calendars, post retirement cruises and charity fundraisers, is hip. But what is occurring at Robson Ranch these days is nothing short of a bingo revolution. This is a game on the edge of cool. It is not your grandmothers’ bingo anymore, not around here.
Bingo Blast returned to the Ranch courtesy of the Kiwanis Club RR on September 20. Players got there early, needing a bit of time to get settled as we had to claim our preferred seat. Then we unloaded supplies from our bingo bags, those well-worn dabbers, fat colored magic markers used to mark our paper sheets with circular smudges covering the numbers that are barked out in rapid fire succession.
The numbered balls popped out of the mechanical blower by pure chance as players worked six or more cards at a time. As the bingo balls were bouncing out and the numbers were called, we mumbled under our breath, “Goodness gracious, my bingo numbers are on fire.” As the balls continued to fly out and with still time to claim a bingo, we have to admit we got as nervous as a cat in a room full of rockers.
Someone asks, “Did they call B7 or 11?” Everyone replies, “Sssssssshhhhhhh.” Anticipating the cash prize, we bite our nails to the quick as each number is dabbed. We’re all nervous, but isn’t it fun? The bingo balls drive us crazy, but all we can say is “C’mon baby, let the next number be mine, all mine.”
Soon there is a collective groan in the room as someone yells “bingo” in their booming voice, giving them shear satisfaction. Faces shriveled in their direction and the attendant materialized to peel off some bills. As the floor walkers doled out winnings a chorus bleated the usual lament of losers, “Same winners every time.” Then the next game began.
Luck is the thing. Other than a player’s being nimble enough to manage hordes of cards at a time, there is no real skill to bingo. You do need to stay awake, though. If you’re inattentive you can miss a number, fail to call out bingo and forgo a payoff.
When those bingo balls are on fire, seems like nothing can go wrong as the winning cash hits our wallet with a cha-ching and it’s music, sweet music to our ears. Who hasn’t learned to love bingo money? And when we win we know the Kiwanis Club wins, too.
Want to win even bigger? Come join the Kiwanis Club Robson Ranch on the first and third Fridays of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the clubhouse. For more information contact Carol Rauhauser at [email protected].