Bunco
Also known as: Bunko
Fast dice game where you try to roll the target number. Roll three of a kind for a Bunco!
What You'll Need
About This Game
Fast dice game where you try to roll the target number. Roll three of a kind for a Bunco!
How to Play
**Setup:** Three dice per player. Play in rounds - each round targets a different number (1-6).
**Gameplay:**
- Roll all three dice
- Score 1 point for each die showing the round's target number
- If you score, roll again. Stop rolling when you score 0
- Rolling three of the target number = BUNCO! (21 points)
- Rolling three of any non-target number = 5 points
**Winning:** First to 21 points in a round wins that round. Best of 6 rounds wins.
**Two-Player Variant:** Take turns rolling, track cumulative score through all 6 rounds.
History & Background
Bunco originated in 19th century England as a gambling game. It came to America and by the 1920s was associated with gambling parlors, sometimes operating as fronts for illegal activities - leading to the term "bunco squad" for police fraud units.
The game was rehabilitated in the 1980s and 1990s as a social game for women's groups. "Bunco nights" became popular suburban gatherings, combining the game with socializing, snacks, and prizes.
Bunco's popularity exploded in the 2000s, with an estimated 21 million Americans playing regularly. The World Bunco Association was formed, and the game became a cultural phenomenon, particularly among mothers' groups and social clubs.
The modern game differs significantly from its gambling roots - it's now primarily about social interaction, with the dice rolling almost incidental to the party atmosphere. The simple rules make it accessible to newcomers at any time during a Bunco night.