With each number drawn the anticipation in the room builds. A hush takes over, as if players sense that even uttering a few words can jinx it and cause someone to yell...

    “Bingo!”

    As 14 lucky folks—no, wait there’s more than that, because some games have multiple winners—do on this late February night. Unfortunately, we’re not one of them, so wife Sandy and I are among those who console themselves with the fact that this Friday night diversion is a lot of fun.

    Everyone’s a winner during Elks Lodge bingo sessions, held Fridays at 7 p.m. and open to the public. The games are fun, there’s free coffee and super cheap snacks, and the pots are hefty, typically $80 for most games, specials at $160 and sometimes up to $250.

    To be sure, this isn’t grade school bingo with five numbers in a straight line all it takes to be the one who shouts out. Some of the patterns are downright complex and regular players often keep track of several cards at one time. We opt for just the basic pack of 12 color-coded games with four cards each for ten bucks, enough for we novices to handle.

    Most players, including us, buy in to the two special games with larger bots for an extra $2 each. Another buck each we get in on powerball and Elks ball action—collect the ever-growing pot by nailing a bingo with the night’s designated number. One is usually the date. Play extra packs for $5 more if you’re quick enough with the dabber.

    We miss the evening’s first pattern, a super straight with ten in a row over two cards, but get in on the second game. Trying for form a “crazy” T or L in any direction—upside down, sideways, whatever—keeps us on our toes and we use our dabber to color each number.

    The dreaded cry “Bingo!” rings out across the way before we’re even close to completing our pattern. The games are all programed into the computer at the Elks Lodge and tickets are each numbered, so all ‘bingo master” Dennis Benson, who runs the game with wife Andrea, has to do is read off the number to the caller, who electronically confirms victory.

    The green sheet’s triple bingo—three full lines covered in any direction—also eludes us, but during the evening’s first special with double action, Team Dietz begins to make its move. It’s cover all, exactly what it sounds like: mark every number on one of the cards. Minutes pass as a slew of B, I, N, G and O numbers are called, and we creep closer and closer to the goal. Just a few more to go and then...oh no, “Bingo!”

    That lucky winner pockets a cool $160. Two-card blocks of four—can’t play the free space either, so it’s called hard way—and crazy bow ties are ensuing patters. Intermission affords the chance to stretch while Benson draws tickets for door prizes and the chance to spin the wheel for cash prizes. Lo and behold, he draws Sandy’s and she takes home a makeup bag.

    After forming—or trying to—blocks of nine and triple postage stamps, we come to the evening’s toughest game: four-card jamboree. Players have to form either a regular bingo, postage stamp, six pack or nail the inside or outside corners on each of the four cards. Again the game plays out with us on the short end after a successful “Bingo!” is called.

    About the closest we get to winning comes in game 11 with railroad tracks the objective. Seems like that shouldn’t be too tough, especially since we get all numbers ending in a “1” wild, but we’re still a couple blocks short of making the tracks when “Bingo!” resounds.

    For those who haven’t had enough when the regular game winds down, usually around 10 p.m., there’s four more speed ball games, $2 buy-in each, in which numbers are called in rapid succession. Strictly for the pros so we head home to beat the latest storm...but yeah, the evening was fun if not profitable.

    Bingo has been an Elks Lodge staple for years, and proceeds fund many local organizations as well as providing high school scholarships.

    There’s also a fish fry preceding the games at 5:30 p.m., with two-piece meals just $7, $8 for three, plus chicken ranch sandwiches, third-pound sirloin burgers, hot dogs and taquitos.

    —by Marcus Dietz

    Elks Lodge is just west of the Village across from Lakeview Dr. Call (909) 866-3557.