Wednesday, April 23, 2008

BINGO

   BINGO is a national pastime for old folks.  For some dumb reason, this silly game is played in old folks' homes everywhere.  Old folks who do not live in institutions gather in lodge halls, carnival tents, high school auditoriums to play Bingo.

   Some play to pass the time, some play for money, some play for bits of candy, stuffed animals, potted plants, but all play for the chance to shout "Bingo".  There is something thrilling about being the first to shout that magical term.

   Now Bingo is a pure mathematical game.  The balls are chosen at random, so there is no way to gain an edge.  There are no such things as "lucky cards", "lucky chairs", or "lucky days-of-the-week".  Wearing a certain color, facing in a certain direction, or chewing a certain flavor of gum will not influence which balls will fall, or what numbers will be called. 

   The only thing that will influence your chance of winning is the number of cards being played.  If everyone plays the same number of cards, everyone has an equal chance.

Absolutely.

However...

   With old folks, there is no end to the squabbling over who sits where, who plays which cards, I don't doubt but that in this wide world there have been murders committed over some Bingo game.  And I further believe that the game may have been being played for dimes or pennies or Hershey kisses.  It is not the prize that is important.  It is the chance to be the first to yell....

...."BINGO"

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love BINGO!!! Shhhhhh don't say, but I've been reading your blog and I am choosing to highlight you for the guest editor pick in a couple weeks! Take that to Starbucks :)
Hugs
Ang Peyton ~~ PeytonsWater

Anonymous said...

I used to work the concession stand at a bingo playing place and you are right, some people sit in the same spot every time they play. Some do bring what they think are their lucky charms LOL. Some had a what looked like a dozen cards or more. Helen

Anonymous said...

I am hooked on bingo! I play it on the computer all the time

Anonymous said...

Well Violet beat me to it. I was going to say and even some play online. Cute entry. Paula

Anonymous said...

HAHAHAHAHA boy do I relate to that. I deal with bingo crisises on a daily basis!

Anonymous said...

B I N G O!!!!

Anonymous said...

Actually, since being the first to shout BINGO on your BLOG about BINGO, I wanted also to share that special seats, charms, tools, are not confined to BINGO...of course we know about atheletes who have their favorite mitt, wear the same socks thru the series and the like!  ALSO, I teach painting classes to people mostly over 50 who CANNOT paint unless they sit in the same seat, stack the chairs the right way, use the same brush, or paper, or, or , or....
I think it is human nature!
Kate

Anonymous said...

Hi Chuck;
    Been a while. I've played Bingo from time to time, too. Can't sit that long. I do enjoy winning. I don't do it often enough to hold my interest though. And I know what you mean about the way some people are about Bingo. I've seen it ruin friendships. Rather read or see a movie, I think. Take care.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

I've seen some nasty battle scars during bingo night.