Set up your tables. Seat 4 players per table (2 vs 2). You need 3 dice per table. Designate one table as the head table (Table 1).
Know your target number. Each of the 6 rounds has a target number matching the round (round 1 = 1s, round 2 = 2s, etc.).
Roll and score. Teams take turns rolling all 3 dice. Score 1 point for each die matching the round number. Rolling all 3 matching dice is a Bunco — your table scores 21 points and the round ends immediately at your table.
Call game. The first table to reach 21 points calls "Game!" — all other tables finish their current roll, then stop and tally scores.
Rotate and repeat. Losing teams stay at their table. Winning teams (except at Table 1) advance up toward Table 1. The losing team at Table 1 drops all the way down to the last table. Play 6 rounds total.
Full Bunco Reference
Score the most wins across 6 rounds. Bonus points for Buncos. The player with the most wins at the end of the night takes the prize.
Minimum 2 tables (8 players), typically 3 tables (12 players)
4 players per table, seated 2 vs 2
Tables are numbered 1 through N — Table 1 is the head table
Each table needs 3 dice
Ghost players fill empty seats when player count doesn't divide evenly by 4
Teams alternate rolling all 3 dice as fast as possible — there is no turn limit
Score 1 point per die matching the current round number
Keep a running tally — first team to 21 wins the round at that table
A Bunco (all 3 dice matching the round number) scores 21 points instantly and ends the round at that table
When any team reaches 21, they call "Game!" loudly
All other tables finish their current roll, then stop
Each table reports their score — higher score wins that table's round
In a tie, the team that was winning most recently wins (or flip a coin)
After each round, losing teams stay at their table
Winning teams (Tables 2 through N) move up one table toward Table 1
The losing team at Table 1 drops all the way to the last table
Winners and incoming players split up — you never keep the same partner twice in a row
This ensures everyone plays with different partners throughout the night
A ghost player fills a seat when there aren't enough real players for full tables
Ghost players rotate normally — they move with their team like a real player
The team playing against a ghost scores against the ghost's score from the previous round
A Bunco occurs when all 3 dice show the current round number on a single roll
It scores 21 points instantly and ends the round at that table
Buncos are tracked individually — they contribute to final tiebreaking
Multiple Buncos can occur in the same round at different tables
After 6 rounds, tally each player's wins, losses, and Buncos. Rankings: