Road Trip!

Yesterday I embarked upon my maiden voyage to The Casino for a day in the life of...Ultimate Bingo! The bus was scheduled to leave at 8AM, but I was warned to be there early if possible because they would leave as soon as everyone was on board. I got there at 7:50 and only one person arrived after me. Whew! [the pressure!!.] The trip cost $18 and you received $15 in credit coupons for the casino along with a $5 lunch card. What a deal!! Sit back, relax, and watch the scenery while the driver deals with the traffic, tolls, and directions.

As soon as we were on the Thruway, the announcement was made:

"We will begin our Bus Bingo games in one minute."

Really? How much? One whopping big buck!!

I paid my dollar and received the two paper sheets that would be four games. The first game was a regular Bingo and the winner got....five dollars. I should have not assumed it would be more than that, but ... whatever. And then it continued for the full board, and I had 'Bingo!!' I couldn't believe it. It was a ten dollar prize that I ultimately split with three people for...yes...three dollars!

Winning is winning. I was thinking that 'this was the beginning of a great run of luck .. it was a sign... In my mind I was chanting , 'Show me the money!!'

At the casino, I got in line for my 'diamond card' which enabled me to hand in my coupons and purchase the various games that were happening from 10 AM to 4 PM. While I was led through this process by one friend, another seasoned player secured our table in the nonsmoking section at a good spot...close to the restaurant, bathroom, and lighted boards and TVs. Then everyone started premarking[???] in pen the different patterns that are played like 'postage stamp, picture frame, and Indian arrowhead [in any direction!!].' This was not for the faint of heart. I was majorly stressed at first, but as with most experiences in life, I recovered...enough to say... Let the games begin!!

In the 'special' games where I had only one page of three boards, I got so good that I was watching the TVs that would show you the next number before it was called. I was feeling like a player! Wahoo! On the games that came in sheets that included nine boards, I felt like Lucy and Ethel in the candy wrapping episode of 'I Love Lucy'. Geez!

Well, I didn't get to yell out that dog's name...[B-I-N-G-O], and yes I had a grand time. It was time spent with good friends, doing some pretty unique 'people -watching', and boosting the necessary confidence for whenever the next casino adventure may present itself. I believe there may be a genetic predisposition to that gambling 'bug' and so I'll blame it on Flo. She has definitely demonstrated that gene and has passed it on.

She recently has expressed some serious Atlantic City withdrawal. Flo and her sister Marie were a dynamic duo on many, many bus trips that left from Wrinkle City.[ An affectionate name for their retirement village.] They had so much fun that they missed the return bus ride and hitched a ride home with another senior who called her daughter to come to Atlantic City to drive them all home!!!

Ya know....

If I were to drive there...

I think I may have to bring her along on the next casino trip to play the slot machines for a little bit. She'd love it!