Some folks have a Pavlovian reaction to the end of the day clatter of the bar cart. I have that with the bingo machine. iconic lede

The 'pop pop pop' of ping-pong-esque balls flicking around a hulking old school machine simultaneously lowers my blood pressure and awakens my somewhat hidden competitive side. And I don't have enough of it in my life these days.

Earlier this year, I resolved to make some standing plans with friends. So I invited some dear pals — who all also happen to be working journalists (a true rarity these days) — to Monday night bingo at Stella's in Gulfport.

Although I contend I'm pretty damnbeth might consider 'damn' a cuss good (as one can be) at this luck-dictated game and our troupe's won a few times, it's more about doing something that isn't just catching up.

We sip on $2 plastic cups of white wine, smear ink from neon daubers all over our sleeves, and sometimes don visors marked with the name of our bingo caller-in-chief.

If you're so inclined, here's a few regular local games to try out:

Wine and Wood | Hyde Park | Dates vary | Times vary 7-9 p.m. | $20 for 10 games

Stella's | Gulfport | Mondays | 5 p.m. | Free entry

Music Bingo at Armature Works | Tampa | Mondays | 7-9 p.m. | Free, RSVP

Wine-O Bingo At Aspirations Winery | Clearwater | Thursdays | 7 p.m. | $5 in advance, $7 day of

Drag Bingo Tampa | Ybor City | Dates vary | Times vary | $36+

Did we miss your regular game? Let us know — or add it to our event calendar.