Bunco

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How to play Bunco

  1. 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).
  2. Know your target number. Each of the 6 rounds has a target number matching the round (round 1 = 1s, round 2 = 2s, etc.).
  3. 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 team wins the table and the round ends immediately at your table.
  4. Call game. The first table to reach 21 points calls "Game!" All other tables finish their current roll, then stop and tally scores.
  5. 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.

Rules reference

Objective
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.
Setup and tables
  • 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
Rolling and scoring
  • 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) wins the table for your team and ends the round there, whatever the score
Calling game
  • 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)
Player rotation and partners
  • 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, so you never keep the same partner twice in a row
  • This ensures everyone plays with different partners throughout the night
Ghost players
  • A ghost player fills a seat when there aren't enough real players for full tables
  • Ghost players rotate normally and move with their team like a real player
  • Ghosts don't roll. Someone rolls for them, usually their human teammate, or anyone at the table if that isn't possible
  • Ghosts can't earn a Bunco. Three of a kind rolled for a ghost only counts as points
Buncos
  • A Bunco occurs when all 3 dice show the current round number on a single roll
  • The roller's team wins the table, counted as a win, and the round ends there
  • Only real players can earn a Bunco, not ghosts
  • Buncos are tracked individually and count toward final tiebreaking
  • Multiple Buncos can occur in the same round at different tables
Winning the game
After 6 rounds, tally each player's wins, losses, and Buncos. Rankings:
  1. Most wins
  2. Most Buncos (tiebreaker)
  3. Most total points (second tiebreaker)