As numbers get called one by one, players move their special markers up and down their cards.

Tension builds until the word “Bingo!” is shouted and sighs of disappointment are heard around the room.

The scene is repeated over and over again throughout the night at DeKalb’s Elks Lodge, 209 S. Annie Glidden Road.

Every Thursday night, DeKalb residents pack the tiny room of the lodge to play bingo. More and more NIU students are joining in.

First-timer and junior marketing major Matt Harrison went with friends and enjoyed his time.

“It’s pretty cool,” Harrison said. “People are into it.”

DeKalb resident Rose Esary has won $182 this year, but acknowledges people go a long time without winning.

“I won the second game [tonight],” Esary said.

Randy Culver, member of Elks Lodge and bingo caller for the evening, explained a small committee organizes the game and any money made is donated to charity.

The bingo games have been held by the Elks for eight years and the number of participants average 125 to 130, Culver said.

Prizes range from $25 to $100 and the jackpot is $500, or $1 per attendant.

The game packets cost $5 each and DeKalb resident Kathy Martin purchases a lot of packets.

“The number of packets doesn’t make a difference,” Martin said. “I’ve seen people with only one [packet] win when I got four.”

Martin said bingo is the only reason she goes to the Elks Lodge.

“I don’t belong to the Elks,” Martin said. “I just come here to play bingo.”

Regular bingo and special games are played alternately throughout the night.

Aurora resident Jennifer Lascola brought her friends with her.

“You can win money and hang out with your friends,” Lascola said.

Bingo is held from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday night at the Elks Lodge.