March 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

Big Bear Today March 2022—Page 9
Fill in patterns for bucks at Elks bingo
There’s no slot machines in Big Bear,
but there are pull tabs. With nice cash
payouts too, at the only entertainment spot
in town registered as a casino with the state.
For who-knows-how-long the Elks
Lodge has hosted bingo every Friday from
7-10 p.m. open to the public. At the Elks
Lodge, everyone’s a winner; the games are
cheap and fun, there’s free coffee and water
plus super cheap snacks, and the pots
can be hefty. Players vie for $30 pots in
regular games, $60-$80 specials, $300 pull
tab game at intermission, and powerball
pot up to $500 at press time and growing,
which pays on a bingo that wins on the
preselected number, usually the date.
Sometimes winning patterns are a traditional
straight line but more often can be
downright complex, forming pyramids,
starbursts, bow ties, railroad tracks and
other designs. Different cards are used each
week so the game is never stale. Each Friday
there’s 15 games plus specials.
Some players may have sets of four
cards for each game so for the 15 games
they’ll keep track 60 cards or more. The
starting setup is $23 which assures players
a full night of play.
The games are all programed into the
computer at the Elks Lodge and tickets are
numbered, so all the caller has to do is read
off the number and the computer electronically
confirms victory. Two boards with
adjacent television screens display the
numbers, with bingos shown so all can see
the winning pattern.
As each number is drawn 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!” Sometimes it’s a false alarm and
the rest of the players have renewed hope
while on other occasions there’s multiple
bingos with split pots.
Players must bingo on the last number
called or it’s not good. Game programs
detailing the evening’s patterns are free
plus the desired pattern is displayed on the
number board.
“We usually have a mix of locals,
You’ll be all smiles too at Elks Lodge Bingo each Friday night if they call your
numbers, plus there’s great food at the new Cookshak
many of whom are regulars, along with
visitors looking for something fun to do
while they’re in Big Bear,” game caller
Mike Brode said one evening. “In winter
we might have 30-40 players, more in summer
when the days are longer.”
Proceeds benefit many Elks charities
like high school scholarships, food baskets
at Thanksgiving and Christmas for the
needy, sports team sponsorships, utility bill
assistance for those in need and many more
programs. “Elks Lodge has been here 70
years and given over $1.1 million locally,”
said exalted ruler Mike Anderson. Friday
bingo at the Elks Lodge has been been a
tradition for over four decades.
For grub there’s the new Cookshak at
the Elks Lodge, upscale eating at friendly
prices. Pulled pork, corned beef brisket,
French dip, an array of sandwiches and
one-third pound burgers, and more dot the
menu..Available to-go or delivery from Big
Bear Takeout as well.
All in all a great way to spend a Friday
night, and a lucky few get a taste of
Vegas.
For those who want more bingo in
their lives, Big Bear Valley Senior Center
(42651 Big Bear Blvd.) holds weekly
games as well, each Thursday from noon-
4 p.m. Bring your lucky daubers and get
in on the fun.
Elks Lodge is at 40611 Village Dr.
across from Lakeview Dr. (909) 866-3557.
Break out the lucky daubers for stirring bingo Friday night at the Elks Lodge
SEEK ...
and Ye Shall Find!!
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