Playing Bunco
What is Bunco?
Bunco is a simple game that involves rolling dice. Its main requirement is there being twelve people to fill all the chairs and the things needed to play the game. There is not much skill required beyond some simple adding of numbers. Our group plays with 12 people. The game can be played with adults, children or a mixture of both, although if children and adults are playing, it might be a good idea to have an adult at each table and to keep score.
Each member should have a list of all the members' contact information and addresses. The game is hosted by a different member of the group every month so in a year, all members have hosted a Bunco party. The current host provides the party's snacks, beverages and desserts. The Bunco supplies, dice, score sheets, pens or pencils and a bell are stored in a container when not in use. At the end of the Bunco party, the current host gives the supply container to the person hosting the next party.
Nothing here, including our rules, prizes, etc., are carved in stone. Our needs and rules may be different than other Bunco groups but as long as the game gets played and a good time was had by all, it does not matter.
To play Bunco we need the following:
- 12 dice, 3 for each table.
- Score sheets (easily downloaded from various web sites)
- Pens or pencils, enough for each table.
- 12 players
- 3 tables, 4 players to a table
- A bell loud enough for all players to hear.
- Snacks and beverages appropriate for the age of the players.
- Desert after the game is over.
- A list of all the group members names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Optional: table cards
How we play the game:
- 12 players sit at 3 tables of 4 players each.
- Tables are numbered: 1 is the head table; 2 is the middle table; 3 is the last table.
- Players sit across from their temporary team member at each table.
- One player at head table rings bell to signal start of game.
- Players keep rolling until they score no points, after which time they hand the dice to the next player.
A scorekeeper at each table tallies points for both teams.
- When the head table earns 21 points, the bell is rung, and the round is over.
- Points are added to the score sheets. Each table will have a winning team and a losing team. Players write
their score on their personal score sheet and indicate win (W) or loss (L).
- The number currently up changes to the next number (1 to 2, 2 to 3 , etc.) and players either stay at their
table or change tables.Temporary team members MUST switch after each game.
- Head table: the two winners stay and two losers move to last table.
- Middle table: 2 winners: move to the head table and the 2 losers stay.
- Last table: the two losers stay and the two winners move to the middle table.
- One of the two players who stay at each table moves over one chair so they will have a different partners.
- Play starts again
Scoring:
- A BUNCO is three of the same number rolled that matches the round number.
Examples: three 2's in the 2nd round or three 5's in the 5th round
- A BUNCO scores 21 points
- A Baby Bunco is three of same number rolled does not match round number.
Example: three 4's during the 2nd round or three 2's during the 5th round.
- Baby Bunco is 5 points
Prizes: Everyone pays $5 to play! (or another number determined by your group)
- $5 → most losses
- $5 → lowest score
- what is left is devided between:
- 50% of total pot → most buncos
- 30% of total pot → high score
- 20% of total pot → most wins
Examples of score cards and table cards, courtesy of teachmama.com. You can download and print score sheets along with table cards for up to six tables.
Table Card and Score Sheet
