University Daily Kansan / Wednesdav. November 14. 1990
9
"I didn't think they'd ever call O-66," Merle Bradley says, waiting to have her winning card verified.
Players, many of them playing up to 15 cards at one time, fill the back room of the American Legion
BINGO
Players find game fun and addicting Story and photos by Jennifer Warner
Bingo. Does anyone not know how to play?
This game of slim oids and incredible simplicity attracts people of all sorts to the four spots in Lawrence where it is played.
The Eagles Lodge, 1803 W Sixth St., has bingo on Wednesdays, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 138 Alabama St., on Thursdays, the Knights of Columbus, 2206 E. 23rd St., on Tuesdays and Sundays and the American Legion No. 14, 3408 W Sixth St., on Mondays and Saturday.
The doors open at 5:30 on bingo nights at the American Legion, and games begin at 7. The faithful arrive early to search for that winning bingo card from the hundreds of cards available.
a bingo player who plays only one card at a time is difficult to find
Alice Johnson, of Lawrence, said she ordinarily played 15 cards at a time.
"I'm only playing 10 cards tonight, though," she said while playing bingo last month at the American Legion.
Paying attention to so many cards requires a great deal of concentration, said Virginia Strong, a bingo
player from Eudora. Any noises or movements during a game are a distraction, and bingo players area about disturbances and their annoyance about disturbances
"Bingo players are the hardest people to please," said Wayne Strong, Virginia's husband and an American Legion volunteer. "It's too hot or too cold. We call the numbers too slow or so fast."
Lynn Brien, chairperson of the American Legion bingo committee, said the game was a social outlet for most players.
"There are many reasons to play," he said. "Loneliness, loss of spouse,
to get out of the house, addiction, relaxation."
Bud and Agnes Shoemaker, of Tonganoxie, said they played bingo to relax and as a change from watching television.
Merle Bradley, of De Soto, described bingo as good, clean entertainment.
"I don't waste my money on anything else, so why not waste it on bingo?" she asked
Bingo can be expensive. An avid fan playing an average of 14 cards six times a week would spend about $125 a week, Virginia Strong said.
Cash prizes are awarded from the money paid by players for cards. The remaining revenues, which are subject to taxation, are used to support organizations' activities and programs.
Many players said their losses normally exceeded their winnings.
Elizabeth Tipton, 14, who recently began playing bingo when her family moved to Lawrence, said she played almost every night.
"It's fun," she said. "You win once and you're hooked."
Helen Wonnell, center, a Lawrence resident, concentrates on her cards during a game.
Kevin Remick, a Legion volunteer, calls numbers
Applications are now available for:
- Technical Manager
- Stage Manager
Applications may be picked up in Organizations and Activities - 400 Kansas Union. Applications are due November 16 by 5:00 p.m.
Any ?'s - Call the Rock Chalk Office,
864-4033.