A bit of the history of the game – It is a dice game that became popular in the 18th century in England. Americans imported the game in to gambling activity in the mid-1800′s with gambling parlors or Bunco parlors became all the rage. Because it was often associated with “swindles” we have “bunco squads” that investigate confidence scams or swindles. There’s even a movie from the 1950′s starring Robert Sterling, Bunco Squad.
Playing Bunco (the game) fell out of favor in the big cities until the late 1980′s when it started regaining popularity as more and more people have gone back to traditional family values, and the sense of desire and need for social interaction.
According to the World Bunco Association site the rules are as follows:
• Take 12 score sheets and secretly draw a star on four of the sheets. Have each person pick a score sheet, this will tell you who will be starting at the head table. The remaining 8 players can sit at the “Middle” or “Losing” tables.
• Each table is randomly divided into 2 teams. Team couples sit across from each other. Pick one person on each team to tally points during each round. Keep track of team points by using the tally sheet–these points are only used for each number round. To save paper, just cross out previous rounds tallies and continue with new round on the same paper .
• The “Head” table controls the pace of the game. The game begins when the “Head” table rings the bell. One player from each table starts the game by trying to roll “ones” with the 3 dice. Always take your roll using 3 dice. If 1 of the die shows the number currently “up” tally 1 point, if 2 of the dice show the number currently “up” tally 2 points.
• When you roll “three of a kind” of the number you are currently rolling this is a BUNCO!!! (21 points). Keep rolling and collecting points. Do not forget to give yourself, not your teammate, one BUNCO!!! point on the bottom of your score sheet after your turn is finished.. If at this time or any other time a player at the “Head” table rolls a BUNCO!!! the bell is rung & the round stops. The other players currently rolling finish their turn and continue collecting points .
• Remember, the fuzzy die is passed from player to player as BUNCO’S!!! are rolled.
• If you roll “three of a kind” – of another number – give your team 5 points and keep rolling and collecting points until you do not roll the number that is “up”.
• If you do not roll the number that is currently “up” the person to your left takes their turn.
• The winning team stays at the “Head” table. Have one teammate move over a chair so they will have different partners for the next round. The losing team from the “Head” table goes down to the “Middle” table.
• The winning team from the “Middle” table goes to the “Head” table & the winning team from the “Losing” table goes to the “Middle” table. The losing team from the from the “Middle” table goes down to the “Losing” table & the losing team at the “Losing” table stays at the table but one player moves over one chair so they will have a different partner..
• At this point write W or L (Winner or Loser) on your own score sheet for that round. Keep your score sheet with you at all times. Do not stay with your partner–your new partner will be one person from the winning or losing team joining you at the “Winning”, “Middle”, or “Losing” table.
• The “Head” table rings the bell to signal the start of a new round.
• If the teams have a tie score there will be a roll-off to determine the winner. ( See roll-off–BUNCO!!! Lingo)
• Play continues for two complete sets. At this point, take a break for dessert and then continue the last 2 sets.
The game ends when all 4 sets of BUNCO!!! have been completed. Each person then adds up the their total BUNCO’S!!!, Wins and Losses from each round and writes the totals at the bottom of their score sheet. Prizes are awarded at this time.
Playing Bunco is a great way to maintain relationships and make new friends, and that is why it’s a favorite here at Girlfriends Galore – What games do you like to play with friends and family?
