How to Play Bunco: Rules for 8 or 12 Players

Bunco is a social dice game for a crowd. There is no strategy at all — just three dice, a lot of rolling and constant switching of partners — which is exactly why it is popular: everyone can talk while they play. Bunco groups often meet monthly, taking turns to host.

What you need

• 12 players is the classic number: three tables of four. It also works with 8 (two tables).
• Three dice per table, plus a dice cup if you like.
• A bell for the head table.
• Score sheets and pencils at each table, and a tally sheet for each player.

Tables and partners

Number the tables: Table 1 is the head table. Four players sit at each table; the two sitting opposite each other are partners for the round.

The six rounds

A game has six rounds, one for each number on the dice: in round one, players are trying to roll 1s; in round two, 2s; and so on up to 6s. A full evening is usually four games — 24 rounds.

Rolling and scoring

Players take turns rolling all three dice. On each roll:

• 1 point for each die showing the round's number.
• 5 points for three of a kind of any other number (sometimes called a baby Bunco).
• 21 points for three of a kind of the round's number — a Bunco! Shout it.

If you score, roll again. If you score nothing, pass the dice to the left. Partners add their points together.

The head table and the bell

The round ends when a team at the head table reaches 21 points and rings the bell. Every table stops at once, even mid-roll, and the scores are recorded.

Moving tables

After each round:

• Winning teams at Tables 2 and 3 move up one table.
• Losing teams at the head table move down to the lowest table.
• Everyone else stays put.

When players arrive at a new table, or at the end of each round, partners change: the new pairing is the players sitting opposite.

Each player marks a win or loss on their own tally sheet after every round, and keeps count of their Buncos.

Prizes

Bunco nights usually end with prizes for:

• Most Buncos.
• Most wins.
• Most losses — a consolation prize.
• Last Bunco of the night.

Bunco with 8 players

Use two tables. The head table rings the bell as usual; winners at Table 2 move up, losers at Table 1 move down.

Hosting tips

• Snacks on a side table — dice and drinks don't mix.
• A felt or tray at each table keeps the dice from flying.
• Keep the bell loud.

Three dice and a cup per table is all the equipment there is. If you also want a game for a small table on a quiet night, try Ship, Captain and Crew or Pig.