Bingo Bills

Bingo Bill's proved to be one of the most fun days I've had in a long, long time. Which either says great things about this bingo hall or really sad things about my life. Maybe both.3 friends (all female) rolled into Mesquite, not quite knowing what to expect. We made friends with a helpful floor attendent (Jim) and the manager (Barbara), who looked after us a little, since there is such thing as "bingo culture" and there are unwritten rules that should be followed. The staff was extremely friendly and truly nice....the bingo hall itself was decked out for Halloween, had an on-duty, uniformed cop in house (is that a good or bad thing), and the 4 of us were probably the most rowdy of the 20 or so afternoon players. Although we didn't win today, we plan on going back with our game faces on, ready to dominate, now that we know what to expect.It is a cheap day of fun.....for under $20 you are guaranteed about 3 hours of challenging good times, exceptional people-watching along with the chance of a pretty lucrative payoff. Based on my research (limited, though it may be....) Bills is one of the few Dallas Bingo joints that offers daytime play, which I suppose, makes for better odds for winning, because there really weren't all that many people there.The caller calls kind of fast, but the hall has many light-up boards and monitors announcing the next ball call. If you can establish a pattern or method when daubign, you will be able to handle more cards, improving your Bingo! odds.We did not eat lunch there, but from the online chatter, Bingo Bill's has pretty tasty snack bar offerings......if you like things offered at a snack bar. They DO NOT SELL any alcoholic beverages BUT you can bring your own.I was slightly saddened, when the caller announced "B-4" and the hall didn't erupt in an "And After!" response. I might try implementing that on my next visit because I've long thought it a funny bit.

WOWsers! So much fun that i went two days in a row.....(or my life isn't too exciting). But still....I'm a girl with a hankering for gambling, so this competitive little joint scratches my itch. The people here are regulars, so be prepared to be a the "new kid on the block"; nothing rude, just people used to seeing the same other folk, and they tend to have their (not so) designated seats, so be aware if you accidentally sit in Mr. *Jones* seat.....he may politely ask you to move down a chair or two. But that's what i like about this atmosphere. It's a kind of family that respects the game and one's privacy, but still takes it seriously. Being a novice, I was confused and asked quite a few questions....they go pretty fast, calling out the numbers in a steady flow, and expecting the audience to understand the game. But, once they see you are a serious student, they will offer advice and even tips to help you succeed. I found today (the second day) that the electronic version is the way to go. I'm ADHD and found the paper version to be way complicated and too much to keep up with. Swallow your pride, save your mind exercize for soduko, and save your blood pressure the extra stress by giving into the bingo machine. It will also keep your marker blotting stains to a minimun which takes multi laundry washes and scrubs to the skin.I'll be back....and hope to see some new faces too!