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Bunco FAQs

Q. What is Bunco?

Bunco is a game that has been around for a long time, having been played in America since at least the 1800's. It's centered around three dice and usually three sets of four players, averaging a standard group of 12. It is a game of pure luck; no real skill is required other than rolling the dice. However, the game is played in upbeat and social settings involving a lot of eating, drinking, and talking, so there is always plenty to do! It's meant to be a dice game that provides a great reason for a group of people to gather and socialize.

There are lots of people who play this game in different groups each month. Many belong to multiple groups, which means they play Bunco weekly. It's amazing to think that this rather simple game of pure luck is so popular and has such an audience. But once you become a "Bunco gamer," it becomes easy to understand that it's the atmosphere, friendships, and the chance to have some genuine fun that makes it an enjoyable past-time that demands an encore!

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Q. I want to start a Bunco group that meets regularly. How do I do it?

You will need:

  • Twelve people who are willing and generally available to play monthly, and able to host one month out of the year. (Keep in mind that if you can't locate twelve people, then you can simply start your group with eight). Sets of four people work best in this game, so feel free to get a group started and then once you're established and you find four more people who'd like to join, you can just add them in.
  • Some people who are willing to be a substitute for the times when one (or more) of the regular members are unable to attend. It's good to have at least three to four substitutes, but more can be helpful. Also, when the opportunities arise for substitutes, it's a good idea to call on different substitutes so they're all given a chance to play sometime during the year.
  • A copy of the Bunco playing rules, dice, some score sheets, writing tablets or paper, pencils (one for each player), and a bell or ringer.
    Additionally, if you use money or surprise "traveling" prizes, you'll need a soft die or a bag or pouch. A box, bag, or container to store your items is helpful too.
    A Bunco game kit is a handy way to get most of these items.
  • Someone in the group to create, distribute, and maintain a roster which contains names and contact information of all players and substitutes.
  • Defined playing days and times, and who will host for each month. Many groups meet on a certain day of each month (e.g. second Thursday of each month). If possible, lay out all the playing dates for the upcoming month (set up as many in advance as is comfortable for your group.) This information can be added to your roster list so all game information is together.

Q. How do you play Bunco?

This is a simplified outline to give you the idea of how to play:

  • First, refer to the Bunco rules page for some actual rules. Once you have a feel for the rules (and don't wait until you feel like an expert, it's really not hard), you're ready to play!
  • In general, you have at least three tables of four people who are teamed up in sets of two. At a table, the two players facing each other are a teamed pair. The object is to roll for specific combinations of dice and accumulate points.
  • To start, the head table rings the bell and you begin the first round by rolling for "one's". A player is given a chance to roll once; if their roll contains a "one" they accumulate 1 point for each "one" rolled. Then, they roll again and only continue rolling as long as they roll a "one" or continue to earn points. If they roll and don't earn points then the next player is given the dice and rolls, and so on.
  • During the round, points can be accumulated in some additional ways. If you roll three-of-a-kind of another number, say "four's", you accumulate 5 points and allowed to continue rolling. If you roll three numbers that match the number of the current round, you earn even more points!
  • At the end of a round, each table counts up the points according to the paired teams and the pair with the most points either stay at the table or move up to a higher table. The team with the low points at each table either stays (if they're already at the lowest table) or they get up and move to the next table (sometimes called "losers leave" rotation).

Q. Are there prizes or winnings in Bunco?

There are many versions used. Some groups play with prizes and some with money.

  • A prize version of Bunco can consist of the hostess accumulating a set of silly prizes or nice items and then award winning levels of: most Buncos, most wins, most losses, most mini Buncos, 50% wins & 50% losses, and sometimes a consolation prize for one or more other kinds. The "traveling" prize can be a special silly prize or something nice. Some groups even have a symbolic stuffed animal that the winner takes home for the month.  If the hostess is using a special theme for the party (e.g. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, etc.) the prize may be something that represents that theme.
  • A money version can consist of various amount of money. For example, $5 for each of the 12 people for the game fund, plus $1 for the traveling fund.  When all the money is pooled together, the larger winning fund should be $5x12=$60, and the traveling fund should be $1x12=$12. Once the playing time is done for the evening, winnings are disbursed something like this: $20 for most buncos, $15 for most wins, $12 for most losses, $8 for 50% wins & 50% losses, $5 from a name pulled from those left who didn't win anything else. The remaining traveling fund of $12 goes to the traveling winner.

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Q. What is traveling?

The traveling fund or prize is often considered a separate prize that is won at the end of the game. Some groups ask for small contributions of money from the players in order to purchase the traveling prize, or the hostess purchases an inexpensive prize and places it in the "traveling pouch." Alternatively, a soft item such as a fuzzy die or stuffed animal is used as the traveler.

During the game, the traveler is tossed around the room from one player to another based on the specific traveling rules that have been established by the hostess or Bunco group.

Traveling typically works in one of two ways:

  • Whenever any player rolls a Bunco, they shout "Bunco!" and then the traveling pouch is tossed to them.
    or
  • Before the game begins, a combination of numbers (usually a specific mini Bunco) is established as the "traveling" trigger. Whenever any player rolls this combination of numbers, they shout "traveling!" and the traveling item is tossed to them.
    For example, before the game begins, the hostess designates "three two's" as the traveling trigger. Then, during the game, any player rolling three two's should shout "traveling!" and will have the traveling item tossed to them. The next player who rolls three twos repeats the yell and the person who had the traveler has to toss (or transfer) the traveler to the new winner. The process continues until the last round is played and playing time/evening comes to an end.

The last person holding the traveler at the end of the game or evening gets to keep the winnings or prize.

Q. What do these Bunco terms mean?

Bunco - A term for the fun dice game that is enjoyed worldwide! Also a term for the occurrence of rolling three-of-a-kind of a certain number in a round.

Bunko - An alternative spelling of Bunco.

Ghost Player - When you are short a player, this is the name given to the absent player. Since you need four people playing at a table and you are missing one, you pretend there's a "ghost" playing as a substitute. The ghost's teammate across the table will do the rolling for their team, and can usually take credit for any of the ghost's Buncos or winning rolls during the round. (Having a ghost as a partner can be very rewarding!)

Bunco Baby - Another name for a ghost player. Usually a stuffed animal or doll, the "baby" is placed in the chair of the absent player.

Mini Bunco - When a player rolls three-of-a-kind of another number that doesn't match the number of the current round. (For example, rolling three 6's in round 4.)

Round - When players start rolling for a given number, say "one's" and continue rolling until someone wins. A new round has said to begun after players have been reseated and are beginning to roll for a new number, such as "two's"

Set (or Game) - A set is when players play six rounds in which they have played for one's, two's, three's, four's, five's, and six's. It is common to play two to four sets during one night of play.

Q. Should my Bunco party have a theme?

Although it's not necessary, Bunco games can be centered around a variety of themes: Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, Octoberfest, Christmas, and so forth, or they can just have a fun and festive dice theme. If you decide to add this additional "spice" to your party, just give yourself a little extra time for preparation. Just remember that you don't need to overdo it. Having a theme certainly can add to your gathering, but the goal is to have fun, and that can still be done without any theming at all!

Here are some ideas for various Bunco party themes:

  • Valentine's Day - Serve food dyed in colors of pink or red. Chocolates, Valentine decorated cake. Pink punch. For table snacks, have conversation hearts, (Valentine colors) M&Ms, and some assortment of Valentine candies.
  • Mardi Gras - Serve some New Orleans style snacks or meal; rice and beans with spicy sausage. Use fancy eye masks and have folks dress up in fancy attire. Lots of beads are a must! Serve a special "king" cake complete with luck baby inside. "Hurricane" punch I've heard is suited. For table snacks, have (multi-colored) M&Ms or Skittles, hot spicy peanuts, and type of "beaded" candy.
  • St. Patrick's Day - Serve Corn Beef and cabbage, or perhaps an assortment of corn beef sandwiches. Irish beer or a green dyed punch. Green attire works perfectly and perhaps that luck-of-the-Irish will reflect in the game?! For table snacks, pistachios, and assorted green candies of course.
  • Cinco De Mayo - Prepare and serve Mexican influenced dishes or snacks. Margaritas (virgin or the real kind), Mexican coffee or beer. For dessert, a flan is always the choice. For table snacks, have red hot Tamale candies, pistachios, and multi-colored M&Ms.
  • Fourth of July - BBQ ribs or hamburgers, potato salad, and corn-on-the-cob. Apple pie with home-made vanilla ice cream. Any American brew will do. For table snacks, peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jacks!
  • Octoberfest - Serve German kiboska, with sauerkraut, with German beer. Apple cider and apple pie is also a warm and wonderful treat. For table snacks, serve candy corns, popcorn and (the seasonal Halloween colors) M&Ms.
  • Christmas - A fancy assortment of holiday dishes: ham with gratin potato dish. Holiday red punch, spiked coffee, or hot apple cider. Have people come dressed fancy or in red/green. For table snacks, serve (Christmas colors) M&Ms and an assortment of your favorite holiday candies. Bring an ornament and have an ornament exchange at the end.

We've got 15 more fabulously fun Bunco party ideas right here as well as 5 Bunco party themes to inspire you, complete with recommendations for decor, food, prizes, and even dice!