Game is one of the attractions of Post 964's Bingo Night

Thousands of bingo players have come to American Legion Post 964 since it opened in the late 1940s.

They come to the Lake Zurich hall for the gabbing and grub hoping to leave with a few extra bucks in their pockets.

It's an average crowd for a Tuesday night. About 60 players settle into folding chairs and wait for the numbered balls to start flying.

Back in a far corner, three women, slightly north of middle age, spread their cards and uncap their dabbers.

Wanda Moss, Barb Lau and Shirley Wysocki. The ladies from Round Lake have been bingo buddies for 30 years.

Cans of Coke, buttered popcorn, and a big hunk of carrot cake clutter the plastic table along with a plethora of good luck charms.

Five big-bellied Buddhas, six frogs, two elephants, one angel, a singing chicken, two ducks, four lucky rocks, two trolls, one crucifix, two Beanie Babies, and a picture of the grandkids.

Do they work? "We like to think so," says Shirley.

They say it's just a pastime, but the trio hits five bingo halls a week. They play Mondays in Mundelein, Tuesdays in Lake Zurich, Thursdays in Fox Lake. Saturdays it's Round Lake and back to Fox Lake on Sunday.

"We're not hooked," Barb says.

They've shared a lot of life together over the past three decades.

They've celebrated birthdays, the kids' graduations, retirement parties and funerals. Shirley and Barb are widows.

Wanda was a military wife and worked 26 years at the Navy Exchange store. Barb was a checker at Jewel for 40 years. Shirley was a stay-at-home mom and raised seven kids.

Driving from one side of the county to the other, they listen to Cub games and to each other's stories.

Hanging out together for 20 hours a week, you might think they would get on each other's nerves. "We've yelled at the caller, but never each other," says Wanda.

The girls admit they've never made a profit playing bingo. But Barb says there's another payoff.

"It's relaxing and keeps us out of the bars."