'I’m a man of faith.'įergus’ faith is reflected in the items that surround him while he plays bingo: cards of the Virgin Mary and various saints, a Bible, a special sock that represents 'all the babies who never had the chance to be born.'

'I don’t believe in luck,' says Kern Bryan Fergus. Sometimes the players truly believe the item or items contain positive energy that will attract winnings other players have a 'it can’t hurt, so why not bring it' mentality.Īnd for at least one bingo player, who sets up a very elaborate scene before each game, it has nothing to do with luck at all. 'It’s definitely good luck.'įor bingo players 'good luck' has a variety of meanings and interpretations.

'Now I take it with me everywhere,' says Crumwell. Michael Crumwell also brings the same charm every time he plays bingo: a dollar-bill shaped keychain from Las Vegas that was a gift from his father.

Dean says she hasn't named the floppy tan dog, but he does, she says, bring her good luck. She has brought the same stuffed dog every time. Daily Jackpots reach $20,000 or more.Ĭhris Dean has regularly traveled to the casino from Racine since 1991 when the facility opened. (Roughly $5 to $15 per game.) But bingo wins can result in big earnings. The investment in bingo is fairly low, depending on whether a participant chooses to play on paper or an electronic screen. I once won bingo three times in one night when I was pregnant.' 'My mom always says twins are lucky, so when I played bingo, I always brought photos of my twin brothers,' says Daniels. Where they sit, which dauber they use for games and who they buy 'paper' (bingo cards) from is also important and, in their minds, could affect their winnings – or lack thereof. 'A lot of it was important: family photos, heirlooms, (cremation) ashes,' says Daniels, who now works in Potawatomi’s PR department and also plays bingo at her church regularly.įor many bingo players, the superstitions go beyond charms. When Victoria Daniels worked at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino as a security officer, she often received calls from bingo players who accidentally left behind a lucky charm and wanted to retrieve it. Some bingo buffs bring a Beanie Baby or two others set up elaborate shrines. Troll dolls and rabbits' feet are the most common luck-bringing items, but bingo players find inspiration and hopefulness in a vast variety of baubles. Daubers (bingo card markers), snacks, cash and, for many, good luck charms must be in tow before settling in for the multiple-hour experience. For current bingo information go here.įor most bingo players, a trip to the bingo hall requires packing in advance for the excursion.

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