David Baranowski is October’s lucky winner of the Bingo Bugle’s monthly $100 contest. He picked up his winning copy of the paper at the South Milwaukee Knights of Columbus, where he’s a regular at Monday night bingo.
A devoted player for more than 20 years, Baranowski says he almost missed his moment of glory. “I read the paper but didn’t even see my name,” he laughed. “It was my wife, Sheryl, who told me I’d won.”
Baranowski is a loyal Bingo Bugle reader and says he especially enjoys the “What’s News in Nevada” column, though he reads the entire paper cover to cover.
He also had high praise for the South Milwaukee Knights of Columbus, calling their bingo “one of the best-run games in the area.”
When asked if he had any special advice for other players hoping to get lucky, Baranowski smiled and said, “When it’s your time to be lucky, it just happens.”
Readers can enter the Bingo Bugle’s next $100 monthly drawing by filling out the contest form in this issue. You could be the next lucky winner!
The Bingo Bugle is saddened to share the passing of Zenaida Artacho Kintziger, a longtime contributor to the paper’s “Poetry Corner.” Zenaida passed away on September 28, 2025, at the age of 80. Born December 24, 1944, she was known for her kindness, humor, and deep devotion to God. Her thoughtful and heartfelt poems touched many readers, reflecting her faith and love for life. She completed a collection of her poetry and published book “And Tears No More.”
Winner David Baranowski (left) receives his $100 prize check from David Klamik (right), Grand Knight of the South Milwaukee Knights of Columbus.
Remembering Zenaida Artacho Kintziger — Beloved Poet and Contributor
Horoscopes for November 2025
ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20): Outside influences will take you far; see if you can work some travel into your schedule now.
Lucky Days: 4 - 20
Lucky Numbers: 11 - 36
TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 21): Your secret power is the ability to make everything around you thrive.
Lucky Days: 7 - 13
Lucky Numbers: 22 - 58
GEMINI (MAY 22-JUN 21): If you’re vague with your desires, you’ll achieve mediocre outcomes.
Lucky Days: 3 - 10
Lucky Numbers: 55 - 58
CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 22):
Dream big. Act courageously. The world is ready to receive your gifts this month.
Lucky Days: 4 - 12
Lucky Numbers: 12 - 33
LEO (JUL 23-AUG 23): Put something on the line this month to keep things fresh and moving in the right direction.
Lucky Days: 4 - 14
Lucky Numbers: 9 - 45
VIRGO (AUG 24-SEP 23): Set distractions aside and focus on the one big dream that you desire the most right now.
Lucky Days: 5 - 19
Lucky Numbers: 50 - 59
LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23): Stop fence-sitting. Take a stand. Too much accommodation will drain your life force.
Lucky Days: 8 - 25
Lucky Numbers: 19 - 50
SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22): Progress comes by sharing costs or duties. No need to go it alone now.
Lucky Days: 18 - 30
Lucky Numbers: 39 - 48
SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21):
Rather than invest energy into proving your point, put yourself into someone else’s position.
Lucky Days: 9 - 13
Lucky Numbers: 4 - 18
CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 20):
Consider committing to a new
hobby or study that feeds your mind and your soul.
Lucky Days: 10 - 17
Lucky Numbers: 6 - 39
AQUARIUS (JAN 21-FEB 19):
Understand motives. The clearer you can see what’s driving you, the more certainty you’ll possess.
Lucky Days: 20 - 29
Lucky Numbers: 9 - 19
PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20): You’ll go far when you understand how imagination and discipline always go hand in hand.
Lucky Days: 3 - 30
Lucky Numbers: 8 - 25
Sign of Scorpio Horoscope Highlights
Born Oct. 24th-Nov. 1st: Emotional letdown the 10th softens by the 12th. Come the 27th, all is surprisingly reversed and unexpectedly fulfilling.
Ultimate November days: 8, 12, 22, 27
Born Nov. 2nd-11th: Familiar love reawakens. A uniquely different chapter unfolds. Creative sparks help you define a new path around the 28th.
Ultimate November days: 9, 13, 23, 28
Born Nov. 12th-21st: Good health and vitality are restored. Luck favors you 9th-10th, with gains multiplying effortlessly through the 29th.
Ultimate November days: 9, 14, 24, 29
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We had the craziest invasion of strangers at our local Bingo hall this week.
Ours is an urban church Bingo in an interesting area that is a mix of older neighborhoods on the back streets and trendy new shops, theaters, bars and restaurants on the main avenues. Some office buildings and churches are still located on these avenues as well, but they are usually dark by the time evening comes and the trendy places get going. One of the exceptions to this general rule is our Catholic church, which is used for many community events, including Bingo on Wednesday and Friday nights.
The church has its own large parking lot and entrances in the back, which is how most people come and go from church activities. It’s convenient because you can visit without having to elbow your way through the crowds of people on the avenues. And it’s amazing how, no matter how noisy it gets outside, you never hear anything when you’re in the community hall or meeting rooms.
One Friday, as people were arriving at the church for Bingo, a small tour shuttle could be seen parked in the road by the parking lot. We didn’t pay it much attention because buses and shuttles sometimes pass through the area. But about 20 minutes before the games were to begin, the shuttle driver and a woman who I assume was one of his passengers came into the hall and asked for the Bingo coordinator. They had a brief conversation, then left. Right
after that, the coordinator went to the caller’s microphone and made an announcement.
She said that a tour group had arrived at one of the avenue restaurants and that the restaurant had messed up and overbooked their dining room. They had arrived after another large group had been seated and had to wait a while for their tables. They asked if they could come in and play Bingo while they waited, and the manager had said yes.
Right after that, the group of about 25 well-dressed men and women came filing into the hall. We all applauded for them and made them feel welcome, and people got up and moved to different seats so that they could sit together.
They stayed and played for two Bingo sessions, until word came that their seats were ready at the restaurant. Then they all packed up and headed out the door together. It was so fun and unexpected to have these out-of-town folks pop in to share an evening of Bingo with us. And it was especially nice of them not to win.
M.W., Illinois, via email
Dear M.W.:
What a welcome letter. You paint such a wonderful picture of your neighborhood with its mix of traditional old and trendy new, which sounds quite charming. It strikes me as place I might like to live.
Your story was particularly interesting because, while it was kind of the Bingo coordinator and your fellow Bingo players to make the tour group feel welcome, it was equally amazing that the visitors had decided to turn lemons into lemonade by joining a church Bingo for an hour or two instead of sitting on a boring shuttle bus getting hungry and cranky. Two thumbs up to the driver and passenger for venturing into your community hall and asking if they could join you. Maybe this could become and thing across the continent to the benefit of charity bingo everywhere! —Aunt Bingo
Share your views! Write to Aunt Bingo c/o the Bingo Bugle, P.O. Box 527, Vashon, WA 98070, or email her at tara@bingobugle. com.
Recent Accomplishments at the VA
The VA has processed more disability claims in one year than they’ve ever done before. They surpassed last year’s total months before the end of this fiscal year. Specifically, the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits is down over 37%.
And that’s not all. In the last six months, the VA has opened 16 new health care clinics around the country. Fredericksburg and North Battlefield Clinics in Virginia, Florence Clinic in South Carolina, and 13 more.
The VA has made it easier for veterans to access community health care, cutting out the middle steps that dragged things out. Additionally, there are 30 categories of care that only require an authorization once a year.
They’ve identified and saved
$106 million from duplicate billings caused by cases where millions of veterans were enrolled in both VA health care and Medicare. Providers were double billing, raking in the cash, and now the VA is going after that money.
Ten thousand workers have been brought back to the office, no longer able to telework. There are eligibility criteria to continue to work remotely, such as a disability or living more than 50 miles from work, but for the most part, they are back in the office.
The VA is phasing out treatment of gender dysphoria; in other words, stopping voice training, wigs, chest binders, hormone therapy and other sex change services. The saved money will instead go to helping amputees and paralyzed veterans.
Veterans at some locations say there is a shortage of physicians and other medical staff, but for the most part it looks like the VA is moving in the right direction.
PICKS OF THE MONTH
The Girlfriend (TV-MA) — Every person who’s been in a romantic relationship knows what it’s like to dread meeting their significant other’s parents. Even worse, when the parents themselves are dreading meeting you! This series starring Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright depicts what this feeling is like — but on steroids. Danny (Laurie Davidson) introduces his girlfriend, Cherry (Cooke), to his mother, Laura (Wright), but Laura instantly gets a bad vibe from Cherry and finds her untrustworthy. Laura’s suspicions cause her to act out of character to protect her son, but is it all just a figment of her imagination? Or is Cherry really hiding something sinister? Find out in just six episodes, all of which are out now! (Amazon Prime Video) Black Rabbit (TV-MA) — Netflix has been giving us a few good shows to binge at this moment, and next up is this crime-thriller miniseries led by Jude Law and Jason Bateman. The duo plays a pair of brothers: Jake (Law), a New York City club owner, and Vince (Bateman), his scrappy, chaotic brother. Jake opens his door to Vince during Vince’s time of need, only to find out that Vince owes
a large debt to some dangerous loan sharks. Left with no choice but to help his brother, Jake gets sucked into Vince’s turbulent world and faces losing his business if they don’t succeed in getting the money. All eight episodes are out now. (Netflix)
The Morning Show: Season 4 (TV-MA) — Two of America’s favorite leading ladies, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, are back with their hit show The Morning Show, and this season looks juicier than ever! Picking up two years after season three, Alex (Aniston) and Bradley (Witherspoon) are dealing with the aftereffects of the UBA network’s merger with NBN, as misinformation and conspiracy theories continue to infiltrate the news. Marion Cotillard is a new addition to the cast and plays an intriguing high-level executive, while Boyd Holbrook joins the cast as a provocative talk-show host. New relationships are teased, and the tension between all the characters continues to rise. (Apple TV+)
Write in to Couch Theater by emailing TheCouchTheater@ gmail.com or writing to KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
A Happy Bingo Day
Kate was determined that no one in our town would go hungry this Thanksgiving and so she arranged to rent the Bingo hall for the day and provide a traditional meal to any and all. She fixed the turkey and left the rest of the meal to other helpers from our local Bingo games. People were wonderfully generous with salads, breads, pies and casseroles. Bingo was planned for after dinner and she got gift certificates for meals at a local restaurant as prizes.
was caller, of course. She loves to be in charge LOL.
It started out calmly enough, but soon everyone was in the spirit of the day and making plenty of noise. Children were allowed to play—with no cash given out that was not a problem.
I kept noticing this kindly looking woman with her two young daughters, and they were having a great time. I thought the younger one might need help with her cards, but when I went to check she was actually faster than I was at the game! She told me her name was Nicolette and everyone called her Niki, but she preferred the longer version of her name. I determined I would always call her Nicolette.
She was a bright little girl with long brown hair and eyes to match. She told me she was in the third
it got out of its little cage and we had a terrible time finding it, but finally we did, and the teacher said not to bring it back. It was pretty exciting, but then we had to go back to arithmetic. That made the teacher happy, but not me. I don’t like numbers much.”
“But you love Bingo,” I said, “and it’s all numbers. Can’t you think of your class work as a kind of Bingo?”
“I guess I can try that,” she said, and we turned back to playing our next game, which she won.
She looked at the free dinner pass happily. “I have to win again so we can all go to dinner. My mom can probably afford one dinner, so I just need to win one for my sister now!” I was determined to make that happen.
We swung into the last two games of the day—a big X followed by the N row to make a star. I thankfully won on the big X and gave my free lunch ticket to Nicolette.
Can’t you think of your class work as a kind of Bingo?
We had a marvelous time dishing up dinner for many of the locals, some of whom were very appreciative of the gift of a meal among kindly community members. It was a good time all around, and it felt extra good to help out—and play Bingo. Kate
grade—and said was thinking about being a teacher when she grew up. She told me she was too old for dolls, but still had three she was keeping “as they had nowhere else to go.”
“A boy brought a mouse to school last week,” she said. “And
Doors open at 5:00 pm BINGO starts at 6:00 PM Early Bird & Late Bird Sessions $1,500 in Prizes!!
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“That is so nice of you,” she said happily, “but don’t you want to use it?”
“No, thanks,” I said, patting my full tummy. “I have had a few too many free lunches. Treat your family and have a great time.”
And then it was time for pie and clean-up and for all of us to go home feeling good about life.
Allesandra reveals your lucky days for November 2025
Lucky Predictions for November 2025
ARIES: March 21 to April 19
1st thru 6th…
RED hot luck 2nd & 3rd! 7th thru 12th…
Family knows—play 10th-12th$ 13th thru 18th…
Not your time 19th thru 24th…
You’re GOLDEN 20th-21st$$ 25th thru 30th…
Get busy 25th-26th!
TAURUS: April 20 to May 20
1st thru 6th…
Luckiest 1st & 5th$$
7th thru 12th…
Best days 2 win 8th-9th! 13th thru 18th…
The envy of all 13th-14th$ 19th thru 24th…
Keep it comin’ 22nd-23rd$!$ 25th thru 30th…
Mystery explained 28th-29th!$
GEMINI: May 21 to June 21
1st thru 6th…
Yes indeed the 2nd-3rd!
7th thru 12th…
Worth a shot the 6th
13th thru 18th…
Enjoy friends & $$ 15th!
19th thru 24th…
Chill for now
25th thru 30th…
Triumphant 25th & 30th$!
CANCER: June 22 to July 22
1st thru 6th…
No stopping you 4th-5th$$ 7th thru 12th…
Anything’s possible 8th-9th!$ 13th thru 18th…
The magic touch 13th-14th$
19th thru 24th…
Mean GREEN win$ 18th-19th
25th thru 30th…
Your days to play: 27th-28th$$
LEO: July 23 to Aug. 22
1st thru 6th…
Energized anew 2nd-3rd!
7th thru 12th…
Midas touch the 7th$$
13th thru 18th…
Decent odds 15th-16th$
19th thru 24th…
Serving up $$ 20th-21st
25th thru 30th…
Save it for the 30th$
VIRGO: Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
1st thru 6th…
Big pleasure winning 4th-5th$!
7th thru 12th…
Child’s play pays 8th-9th!$! 13th thru 18th…
You got it right 13th-14th! 19th thru 24th… At your spot 14th, 19th & GO! 25th thru 30th…
SCORPIO: Oct. 24 to Nov. 21 1st thru 6th… Go with the flow the 1st 7th thru 12th… Deep pockets 8th-9th$ 13th thru 18th… You too can win 13th-14th$! 19th thru 24th… All about YOU 19th$$! 25th thru 30th… Dreams materialize 28th-29th$
SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 1st thru 6th…
Chances improve the 2nd$ 7th thru 12th… RED’s the color 10th-11th$! 13th thru 18th… Listen to another, 15th-16th 19th thru 24th…
Whacky but good 20th-21st! 25th thru 30th… Exciting 25th-26th!$!
CAPRICORN: Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 1st thru 6th… Bags-o-cash 4th-5th$$ 7th thru 12th… Nah 13th thru 18th… Stay focused 13th-14th$! 19th thru 24th… Be there to win 23rd-24th$ 25th thru 30th… Pad your pockets 27th-29th$!
AQUARIUS: Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 1st thru 6th… Promising 2nd & 6th! 7th thru 12th… A window of luck the 7th$! 13th thru 18th… Sidekick spurs a win 15th! 19th thru 24th… Take it home 20th-21st$ 25th thru 30th… Darn right the 30th$$!
PISCES: Feb. 19 to March 20 1st thru 6th… Make room to win 4th-5th$ 7th thru 12th…
Lucky on BLUE 8th-9th$! 13th thru 18th…
Waiting for you 17th-18th! 19th thru 24th… Go for it 23rd-24th$! 25th thru 30th… Optimal chances 28th-29th$$ 6351 W. GRANGE AVE 421-3371
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Q. I know charity Bingo halls across the U.S. have varying prize payout limits, but there are other kinds of bingo halls, and I’d like to know if there have been big money winners at any of those places.
A. There have indeed been some big Bingo winners across the U.S. Here is a sampling.
Foxwoods’ Firecracker Bingo$1M
One of the first bona fide milliondollar bingo wins in the U.S. took place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. To celebrate 25 years of bingo operations, Foxwoods hosted a high-stakes “Firecracker Bingo” event on July 2, 2011, and it paid off big. Jennifer McKenzie, from Niantic, Connecticut, hit the jackpot and took home $1 million in cash. This was a landmark moment, as it proved American bingo halls could
produce seven-figure winners.
Birthday Millionaire at Lone Butte
In 2018, an Arizona man got an unforgettable birthday present courtesy of bingo. While playing the Bingo Millions game at Gila River’s Lone Butte Casino (in the Phoenix area), this unnamed 34-year-old hit the top prize of $1 million on his birthday. The Bingo Millions game is billed as “the world’s richest regular session bingo game,” and it lived up to its name that night. The birthday winner’s life-changing jackpot underscores how newer bingo innovations (like nationwide linked progressives) have made million-dollar payouts a reality in American bingo halls. Not a bad way to celebrate turning another year older.
‘Lucky Tara’ Strikes it Rich$250,000
Sometimes you don’t need a million to make bingo history. In 2018, a player known as Tara (a Pennsylvania resident visiting New York) won $250,000 at the Seneca Gaming & Entertainment bingo hall in Salamanca, New York. This quarter-million jackpot came during the Seneca casino’s 36th anniversary Million Dollar Bingo Special. Tara managed to get a coverall in 48 calls, landing the biggest bingo payout ever recorded in Western New York. She was just one ball short of the $1 million grand prize.
Record Cash Ball at Santa Fe Station - $199,578
Las Vegas makes the list with a record-setting bingo Cash Ball jackpot. In May 2025, local player Clementine K. hit a $199,578 jackpot during the 3 p.m. bingo session at Santa Fe Station casino. This win was the largest bingo cash-ball jackpot in Station Casinos’ history, according to the company. The Cash Ball is a progressive bonus in Station’s bingo halls, and Clementine’s
nearly $200,000 prize had been building up for months before her lucky numbers came in. Her win generated plenty of excitement (and some joyful screaming) in the northwest Las Vegas Valley. Lucky Eagle Jackpot - $133,639 In August 2014, Dorothy Black of Olympia, Washington, made headlines by winning $133,639 at the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel, the largest bingo prize in that casino’s history. The CEO himself presented Dorothy with an oversized check to mark the occasion. She won the jackpot playing a standard session at Lucky Eagle’s bingo hall, which shows that sometimes even smaller tribal casinos can produce six-figure winners. For Dorothy, a long-time player, this amount was truly life changing. Her big win is fondly remembered in Washington’s bingo community as proof that persistence and a bit of luck can lead to a recordbreaking bingo haul.
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All listings in the Bingo Bugle Player's Guide are for the normal schedule of any given bingo. If you have a question regarding the schedule of any particular game due to a special event, holiday, or weather condition, please call the number listed for that game. Players should also be aware that advertisers may withdraw or alter any advertised offer without prior notice.
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Coffee Break
2nd
BINGO BUGLE CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Waller or Domino
“-- not choose to run”
Noble gas
Born 17 Loosen 18 Cowpoke of the pampas 20 Get new actors 22 Car-pool lane abbr. 23 Profit 24 Elevator
TRIVIA
1. GEOGRAPHY: What canal connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea?
2. MOVIES: Which of Disney’s animated princess movies was the first to get a live-action version?
3. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a male duck called?
4. LITERATURE: In which famous museum does a murder take place in the novel The Da Vinci Code?
5. SCIENCE: What part of the plant is responsible for photosynthesis?
6. TELEVISION: When did the animated TV sitcom The Flintstones debut?
7. U.S. CITIES: Which city is known for the saying, “Where young people go to retire”?
8. FOOD & DRINK: Which Southeast Asian fruit has such a strong smell that it’s banned on public transportation?
9. ASTRONOMY: Which star is the brightest in the night sky?
10. MEASUREMENTS: How many meters are in a kilometer?
Trivia, CryptoQuip and Crossword Puzzle answers on page 11
Nervous Tics
Dear Guy,
I’m trying to summon up the courage to ask a friend of mine if he can do something about a really annoying habit he has of TAPPING. John (which isn’t really his name) drums his fingers on the table, taps his wedding ring against the table, or taps his dauber on the table constantly. And it’s really driving me nuts!
I know we all have our nervous quirks—my wife is always complaining that I constantly jiggle my leg at the dinner table and make the entire table move. I try to stop it but forget and do it again. Now I am getting a taste of my own medicine with John’s tap tap tap tap tap, but I feel like a jerk that
it bothers me and that I am being a hypocrite because of my own habits.
I’m curious what you think. Should I just suck it up and ignore it, say something, or do you have another idea?
Twitched, via e-mail
Dear Twitched,
Well, here’s one idea. When you see this letter in the paper, laugh about it, point it out to your friend, read it aloud to him, and then jokingly say: “Hey John, this guy sounds like you!” He’ll then probably ask what you mean, and you can innocently point out that he’s a tapper just like the guy in the paper, and that sometimes it drives you a little buggy. Just keep the whole thing light and casual. Then the next time he starts to tap, you can point it out, jokingly say, “See what I mean?” and he’ll get the message.
Of course, this whole scheme could backfire on you. Just as you tell John about his habits, he may chime in with a few of yours—like that annoying leg jiggling thing. Like my Mom always says, be careful what you wish for! —Guy
Readers: Send your letters to Guy via the editor of the Bingo Bugle, tara@bingobugle.com or via snail mail: Bingo Bugle, Box 527, Vashon WA 98070.
* A better use for soda: Use it to scrub your pots and pans. If you have grime and slime, try letting the acids in soda pop work it out for you. Pour enough soda to cover the bottom of the pots or pans and let soak for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub away.
* “When the weather starts to dry out and along with it my skin, I turn to coconut oil. I keep a jar in the bathroom, and I apply it even before I get out of the shower. My skin gets really red and torn up otherwise. I thought this might help other people.” — K.S. in Massachusetts
* When choosing an airline seat, you should know that you’ll feel less turbulence at the front of the cabin. Exit rows have more legroom, but they tend to be colder as well. Sound carries forward, so if you don’t want to be bothered by the little ones or random chatter, sit toward the back.
Send your tips to: Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
Royal Hits!
There is nothing more exciting than hitting a royal flush when you play video poker. The payout is big—$1,000 if you are a quarter player, or $4,000 for a dollar player. But royal flushes aren’t so easy to hit even when you hold four to the royal and you need just one card on the draw to fill the royal. My mother- and father-in-law, however, have each hit a royal the hard way. Let me explain.
Both of my in-laws were slot players when I decided to teach them how to play video poker. They learned by playing jacks-orbetter on my computer using video poker training software. It didn’t take them long before they were achieving 99% playing accuracy, plus they really enjoyed playing. I also gave them video poker strategy cards so they could take them to the casino and refer to them if they were unsure on how to play a hand. At age 90 and 84, their minds were sharp as a tack and they enjoyed the challenge of playing video poker.
In the first three years after I taught them video poker, they tripled their bankroll, plus they enjoyed receiving all the casino perks just for playing: free meals, gifts and rooms. Not a bad life for two seniors with four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
After those initial years of training, I took my father-in-law to a Mississippi casino to play, what else, some video poker. Of course, we went on a day when the casino had a promotion that multiplies your points giving us more free play and bounce back coupons (for cash) in the mail. It had been a while since my father-in-law had a royal (11 months), even though he had been dealt four to the royal on numerous occasions. But he just couldn’t get the fifth card that he needed for the royal. He knew
the odds of drawing the card he needed for the royal was 1 in 47, but it had eluded him for nearly a year.
Now many players get frustrated when they don’t get a royal, but not my father-in-law. He knows that on average a royal will hit about once every 40,000 hands. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get that royal, while other times you might get lucky and hit 2 or 3 royals in 40,000 hands (hey, once he hit two royals the same night on the same machine). So, when my father-inlaw gets into a royal flush dry spell, like he was in that year, he just keeps playing skillfully knowing that sooner or later it will come.
I was playing next to him when it happened. He hit the deal button and bingo—up popped a dealt royal flush. He didn’t have to draw for a royal cause the machine dealt him one. When it happened, the machine automatically locked up and the credit meter was spinning away until it gave him the $1,150 that he won (it was a progressive video poker machine).
Now you might be wondering what the odds are of hitting a royal flush on the deal. I certainly was curious, so when I got back I did the math and discovered it was a whopping 650,000 to 1. Those are pretty long odds, but as my father-in-law proved, they are not impossible odds.
Now you might be thinking that’s the end to this story, but there is more. Way back in 2005 when I first taught my mother-in-law how to play video poker, I took her to a casino in Las Vegas that had good video poker pay schedules. I stood behind her to mentor her as she played video poker for the first time. Then it happened.
She hit the deal button and up popped a five-card royal flush on her screen. Back in those days, the machine didn’t lock up if you hit a royal on the deal. I knew instantly that she had just hit a royal flush, but my mother-in-law thought that she had just hit a flush. I showed her that she not only had a flush, but a royal flush, and then I hit the hold button on all five cards, followed by the draw button. The credit meter started spinning and soon she was $1,000 richer.
Now that’s quite a story. I don’t believe there is another husband and wife couple on this planet that has accomplished this.
So, what’s the moral to this story? Don’t give up when you are in a royal flush dry spell because you never know when it will hit. It could happen when you least expect it—including on the initial deal—just ask my in-laws.
What's News in Nevada . . .
Proper Eats at Aria
It’s not a buffet, but it is all you can eat. Saturdays and Sundays at Proper Eats, the food hall at Aria, pay $59 and partake in the “Ultimate Football Tailgate” extravaganza. You have to making a reservation, exclusively digital, from the app or at one of two kiosks; all eight of the food outlets are involved (with a rumored upcharge for sushi), and with all the TV screens in the room you’ll have a view of the football. Unless you can walk into Aria, you’ll pay for parking at City Center, which adds another $25 or so to the AYCE deal. Ads say: “watch all the games,” so if you’re allowed to stay all day and keep ordering, it might be worth it
John Fogerty
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty, founder and lead singer/ guitarist for Credence Clearwater Revival, will play a six-show miniresidency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood this winter. The dates are New Year’s Eve, then Jan. 2 and 3 and March 18, 20, and 21.
Wizard of Oz Sells Well
Business media and analysts are weighing in on the The Wizard of Oz and they’re all making positive noises. Bloomberg reports that Sphere is hosting upwards of 10,000 movie-goers a day and they’re paying an average of nearly $200 apiece. Add it up and Sphere is bringing in $2 million daily on ticket sales alone, plus much more for food, beverage, and merchandise. Bloomberg also reported, “Executives at Sphere estimate the film will gross hundreds of millions of dollars over the next year and could top $1 billion before concluding its run.”
The success of The Wizard of Oz will likely kickstart a years-long process to adapt far more titles to the venue’s 160,000-square-foot screen.” It’s known that Sphere executives have held preliminary
discussions about Harry Potter and Star Wars.
Ellis Island Expansion Unveiled
Ellis Island has opened up the first phase of its $35 million expansion and renovation. The project nearly doubles the size of the casino and includes a new bar and high-limit pit. There’s also a new facade out front with 1,200 square feet of LEDs, a renovated portico, and new landscaping. The bar has 25 seats and a 50- by 11-foot LED screen for sporting events.
China Mama Now Serving Breakfast
China Mama, one of Chinatown’s best Asian restaurants, has started serving breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. daily. Dishes include scallion pancakes, pork buns, congee (rice porridge), crispy crullers, pan-fried dumplings, pot stickers, and fried dough sticks (Chinese donuts).
Dunes Sign Restoration Completed
The last little sign that remains from the Dunes was illuminated at the Neon Museum in September. And we do mean little, especially compared to the 181-foot-tall pylon sign that flashed DUNES for nearly 30 years; when it was installed and lit up in November 1964, it was the tallest freestanding sign in the world. The one the Neon Museum has restored is a 10foot sign that graced the entrance over the driveway up to the porte cochere and has been sitting in the museum’s Boneyard for more than 20 years. It was lifted by crane and brought to the workshop, then “the original animation pattern was recreated with historically accurate bulbs and a large crack on the sign’s face was repaired.” Nice that the Neon Museum has commemorated the iconic hotelcasino that was imploded in October 1993 in con-junction with the opening of Treasure Island.
Liver Lover? Not I!
Thanksgiving is when the people who are the most thankful are the ones who didn’t have to cook.
Ms. Anonymous
I’m feeling nostalgic today; remembering how Thanksgiving used to be in my house with big meals and lots of people around our table. For some current families, it is still that way, but times have changed for Robert and me. We used to host the big day with 20 to 25 family members enjoying each other’s company, no cell phones anywhere, and some of our guests staying overnight. Now, it’s mostly just the two of us; eating on the couch and watching football. Beloved family members have died, and the kids have grown up; moving on with new families and new traditions. I’m not complaining, just reminiscing, because I have sweet memories upon which to reflect during Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season.
Among those memories are my annual As I See It November columns, thanking those for whom I am grateful for continued support and love. Included are my #1 fans, Chris and Caroline; friends Peggy, Donna and Arnie, Sandy; all my faithful readers and bingo workers everywhere; my Bugle editor Tara; and Dick who introduced me to Bingo Bugle. Last on my list, but certainly first in my heart, is my husband Robert who is the first to read my columns. He has supported me in every way over our fifty plus years and for that I am full of gratitude and thankfulness. He’s one of a kind. Ok, enough said, on to the next topic.
November is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month. Fun fact: if you fear peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth, you are suffering from Arachibutyrophobia. Try saying that with a mouthful of peanut butter! Anyway, as we age, our tastes change in many areas, particularly food, and the cause is age related. A healthy tongue sheds and regrows taste buds constantly until around middle age. At this point, the buds still die and are shed, but a smaller number of them regenerate as we grow older. So, fewer taste buds mean our food begins to taste blander. Ah ha! That’s why against doctor’s advice I still use more salt than I should and add spices to enliven my food flavors.
What has this got to do with National Peanut Butter Month? Truthfully, I got sidetracked when researching peanut butter and came across the taste bud tidbits. I do know my taste in foods has changed dramatically the last few years as I now love food I used to hate, such as peanut butter. I also devour sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts where I had previously avoided them like vampires avoid crosses. My taste buds seem to be as confused as my muddled brain on a bad day. Disclaimer: there is one notable exception to my turnaround in food choices, that being liver and onions. I simply cannot abide its texture and taste as it assaults my taste buds—and it makes no difference how much salt and spices are added, or how many taste buds I have left. Even the thought of downing that particular food activates my gagging reflex whereas peanut butter is a blissful delight.
Until next month, may Lady Luck blow you kisses as you dance out the door with dollars. Win big at bingo and at all your other gambling adventures. Contact: nlpvzw6172@gmail.com.Contact: nlpvzw6172@gmail.com
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