At a recent trip to the local bingo hall in San Antonio, Texas I entered a world of cut throat competition. Now, I have played bingo before in the large bingo halls with my grandmother 10+ years ago but forgot how intense it can be. My grandmother would bring all her little buda statues and elephant figures all supposedly bringing her good luck for the nights games.
When I stepped into the bingo hall and began observing the types of people that played the game it reminded me any sport on TV. All walks of life were in the bingo hall, young people, business people, families, senior citizen (who are the die-hards) and blue-collar workers. Just by observation you could spot the religious bingo players. The people that had tote bags with outside pockets to carry their marker stamps (ink filled bottles that mark the number called on your card) and enough room in the bag to carry a portable fan, troll dolls, candles, dice, fools gold and any other trinkets considered good luck (I dubbed them the "professionals").
As the bingo games got underway the excitement (yes, I said excitement and bingo in the same sentence) began to wear off and all the players in this large hall turned into scoundrels all with poker faces that would rival the best Texas Hold'em player. The shifty eyes, the confidence as if all of them knew they had winning card. I even saw people who seemed to be friends at the beginning of the game turn into card covering, angry-faced, competition hungry enemies.
The last game before a break was a $500 cash prize game. Cash was paid out that night just minutes after you won. The game was a triple bingo, meaning you had to get three bingo's any way not counting the four corners. The room was eerily silent. The only noise heard was the bingo machine with all players looking on with confidence and determination. The game was going into the 15 minute mark and with 54 numbers of 75 called someone was close to winning. The shifty eyes began as O 71 came on the screen. You could feel the tension building. As O 71 was called over the speaker and loud shout came from the smoking section, BINGO! and as if all the air was let of a tire, a huge sigh fell out amongst the bingo hall as someone else but them had won.
The experience left me laughing and feeling empty at the same time. I wanted to be a winner and plan to go back for more, I guess that is how these "professionals" get hooked. At the same time I laughed as I see a 80 year old woman playing 8 cards and methodically pondering over her cards, strategizing for the next nights games.
I will always remember that I didn't find the cut throat competition on the basketball field, football field or board room but in a bingo hall in San Antonio, Texas
