Bingo

Bingo - why is it important to Volunteer?

Bingo provides the life-blood for the music program.  The Boosters are fortunate to have this valuable fundraising source.  It provides the majority of the revenue needed for the program. But, it requires volunteers to make it work. English is not necessary to volunteer, just a willingness to help. We can find a position for anyone!

How does Bingo work and what is needed from Booster Volunteers?

Cypress Bingo is located at 5856 Corporate Drive, just off of Valley View, between Katella and Cerritos Ave.  Games are played Tuesday through Sunday nights, year round. Our night is Friday. The games are staffed by volunteers and a portion of the proceeds go to the volunteer’s organization.  Cypress, Western and Los Alamitos High Schools provide volunteers for the other nights. The doors open at 4:00 pm, with warm up games starting at 5:00 pm and regular games beginning at 6:00 pm.  The night is usually over by 10:00 pm.


Roles/Positions

CASHIER - (2 Volunteers needed)

The cashiers sell game sheets to players, using a modern point of sale (POS) system.  Purchases are made by players using cash or credit. Time: 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm; is reduced to one cashier at approximately 6:00 pm after the initial rush of players is complete and regular bingo games have started.

CASH BALL/POWER BALL SALES DESK - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person sells cash ball/power ball tickets to players for $1 each, limit one per player.  Time: 4:00 - 6:45.

FLOOR SALES - (4-6 Volunteers needed)

These volunteers sell pull tab and other games to players.  Usually, tabs are $1 each, with sellers taking a basket of 200-300 tabs at a time.  Each volunteer will normally sell 4 to 5 baskets of tab games per night depending of the number of players.  Players normally buy 1 to 20 tabs at a time. Sellers need to be able to accurately make change and keep things in order, as some tab games are more popular with the players.  Time: 4:00 - 9:00; with greatest activity between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

BINGO CHECKER/PAYOUT - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person checks /validates bingos.  When a player calls bingo, the checker will read off the card serial number and bingo numbers to the Bingo Caller.  Once all bingos have been verified, checker delivers the payout to the players. Player must sign for receipt of the payout.  Time: 5:00 - Close.

RED ROOM BANKER - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person manages payouts for bingo and pull tab games.  Keeps logs/paperwork for game payouts. Time: 5:00 - Close

PULL TAB TABLE - (2 Volunteers needed)

These volunteers sell pull tab games to players that come to the table.  They also manage/organize the sale of the pull tab games. They prepare the baskets for the Floor Sellers and provide information on games and pay outs to the Red Room Banker.  Time: 4:00 - Close; is reduced to 1 person at approximately 7:30.


EVENT TABLE - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person manages the following games:  Speed, Manager’s Special, Double Action, and Warm-up Bingo.  They handle the tracking/recording of sales and game payouts.  Time: 4:00 - Close.

SET UP - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person takes out various equipment and furniture needed by volunteers to run the night.  Time: prior to 4:00 pm.

FLOOR MANAGER - (1 Volunteer needed)

This person has overall responsible for running things during the night.  Will provide direction to volunteers, communicate with the Bingo operators and work any issues that arise with players.  The person needs to know each of the volunteer positions and what is needed to make the night run smoothly. Time: 4:00 - Close


How it Works

What is a typical Bingo night like for volunteers?

Players begin arriving at 4:00 pm.  They will purchase game sheets from the Cashier and pull tab games from the Pull Tab Table, as well as purchasing their Cash/Power Ball ticket.  The Cashier and Pull Tab tables are at their busiest between 4:00 and 5:30 making sales to players. As the Bingo hall fills up with players, Floor Sellers will begin selling the various pull tab and strip sheets games at about 4:30.  The pace of sales will depend on the game (games carry names such as, “Holy Moly Guacamole”, “Treasure Island”, “Leftovers” and everyone’s favorite “Fire Dog”) and the size of the crowd. All of the tabs in a Pull tab game must be sold, the number of tabs vary by game and range between 800 and 1,500 tabs per game.  Floor Sellers will also sell the Event Table games: Speed (twice a night), Manager’s Special, Double Action and Warm up Bingo. At 5:00 pm the 10 warm up bingo games begin. At 6:00 pm the regular bingo games begin. As the bingo games are completed, the Checker, working with the Red Room Banker, verifies the winner’s card and makes payouts.  During this time the Floor Sellers continue to sell the various games to players. Around 8:00 pm, Floor Sales will begin winding down depending on the size of the crowd and pace of sales. Typically, the final pull tab game that is sold is “Fire Dog”. It is very popular with the players and usually sells out in a matter of minutes. Once Fire Dog is sold, the night is over for Floor Sellers - usually between 8:30 and 9:00 pm.  During the remainder of the night, the Checker verifies winners and makes payouts, the Event Table, Pull Tab Table and Red Room Banker track and record the money taken in and paid out. The night is usually completed around 10:00 pm. Depending on the size of the crowd and sales, the Boosters’ share will be between $1,500 and $3,000 - not bad for a short nights work.