How to Play Bunco: Rules for a Bunco Party

Here is how to play bunco, the fast, noisy dice game that has become a favorite for neighborhood groups, family reunions and fundraisers. All you need is three dice per table, a bell and a group of friends. There is no skill to learn, only luck, laughs and lots of table switching, which is exactly why it works so well for mixing a crowd. This page gives the standard rules for 12 players, how scoring and rounds work, how players move between tables, and how to adapt bunco for smaller or larger groups.

Quick rules

• 12 players sit at 3 tables of 4. Partners sit across from each other.
• There are 6 rounds in a set, and the target number matches the round: 1s in round 1, 2s in round 2, up to 6s.
• Roll 3 dice. Score 1 point for each die that shows the round number. Keep rolling as long as you score.
• Three of the round number is a bunco: 21 points. Three of a kind of any other number scores 5 points.
• When you score nothing, pass the dice to the left.
• The round ends when a team at the head table reaches 21 points and rings the bell.
• Winners move up a table, partners change, and the player with the most buncos, wins and other awards takes a prize at the end.

What you need

• 3 dice for each table (9 dice for 12 players).
• A bell for the head table.
• A tally sheet and pencil for each player to record wins, losses and buncos.
• A score pad for each table, or use the scoreboard below.
• Small prizes, such as candles, snacks, plants or gift cards, if you like.

Short of dice? Use our dice roller set to 3 dice.

Setup

1. Set up three tables: the head table (table 1), the middle table (table 2) and the low table (table 3).
2. Players draw a card or number to choose their starting table and seat. Four players sit at each table.
3. Players sitting opposite each other are partners for that round.
4. Give each table 3 dice and a score pad. One player at each table keeps score for both teams.
5. Every player gets a personal tally sheet.

How to play

Rolling

1. The head table rings the bell to start the round. All tables start rolling at the same time.
2. One player at each table rolls all 3 dice.
3. Count 1 point for each die showing the round number. In round 3, rolling 3-3-5 scores 2 points.
4. If you score, roll again. Keep going until a roll scores nothing, then pass the dice to the player on your left.
5. Rolling three of the round number is a bunco, worth 21 points. Shout "bunco" and mark it on your tally sheet.
6. Rolling three of a kind of any other number is a mini bunco (sometimes called a baby bunco), worth 5 points. You keep rolling.

Ending a round

1. The round ends as soon as either team at the head table reaches 21 points and rings the bell.
2. Players at the other tables finish the roll in progress and stop. The team with more points at each table wins that table. If a table is tied, that table rolls off: one more roll each, high score wins.
3. Each player marks a W (win) or L (loss) on their tally sheet.

Moving tables

1. Winners at the head table stay. Losers at the head table move to the low table.
2. Winners at the middle and low tables move up one table.
3. Losers at the middle and low tables stay where they are.
4. At each table, the two winners split up so everyone has a new partner. Then the next round begins with the next number.

Scoring

How to win

After 6 rounds, one set is complete. Most groups play 3 or 4 sets, which takes about two hours. At the end, players total their tally sheets. Popular awards include most buncos, most wins, most losses, and the last player to roll a bunco. Some groups pass a fuzzy die during play: whoever rolls a bunco takes it, and whoever holds it at the end wins a prize.

Variations

• Every table plays to 21: instead of stopping when the head table finishes, each table plays to 21 on its own. Good for very mixed age groups.
• Wipeout: rolling three 1s (when 1 is not the round number) wipes out your team's score for that round.
• Fewer players: with 8 players use 2 tables. With odd numbers, add a "ghost" player whose rolls are made by their partner.
• Bunco for large groups: add tables in multiples of 4 players. The head table still ends each round, and winners move up one table at a time.
• Bunco for kids: play a single set and count points out loud to practice addition.

Tips for hosting

• Use a loud bell so the far tables hear the end of each round.
• Pre-print tally sheets with 24 boxes (four sets of six rounds).
• Put the round number on a card on each table so no one forgets the target.
• Keep snacks easy and away from the dice, since tables get lively.
• Choose one scorekeeper per table for the whole round to avoid arguments.

House rules to agree first

• Whether rounds end at the head table only or at every table.
• How mini buncos score, and whether to use the wipeout rule.
• How many sets you will play and which awards you will give.

For more dice fun try farkle, ship, captain and crew or liar's dice, and see our dice games and kitty party games for more group ideas.