Here's how we do it...

It sometimes seems that there are almost as many ways of playing bunco as there are women who play! Every group is a little different, but our group uses the following guidelines.

Getting Started

• Place three dice, 2 blank score tally pads, and pencils on each of three tables. Place a table placard (Head, Table 2, Table 3), on each table. A bell is placed on the Head Table. A large fuzzy die (or a small stuffed animal) is also placed on the Head Table.
  
  
• Players receive a score card when they arrive and choose at which table they would like to sit.  Partners are the players sitting across from each other (or kitty-corner from each other, depending on the table configuration).
  
  
• If we have more than 12 players, we add table(s) and adjust accordingly.
  

• There are six rounds in each set of Bunco. The Head Table controls the pace of play by starting each round and ending each round with a ring of the bell.
  
  
• Players earn points by rolling the three dice. In each round, players are trying to roll the same number as the round, or the target number (for example, rolling "3"s in Round 3).
  
  
• One point is awarded for each target number rolled successfully. For example rolling "1, 1, 2" in round 1 earns 2 points, in round 2, the same roll earns one point. In rounds 3-6 this roll earns no points.
  
  
• Five points are awarded for rolling three of a kind of any number except the current target number. For example rolling "1, 1, 1" in round 3 earns 5 points.
  
  
• One player on each team is designated scorekeeper and keeps track of points earned during the round by her respective team (on the score tally pads).
  
  
• BUNCO! is called when rolling 3 of a kind of the target number. For example, rolling "3, 3, 3" in Round 3. Rolling BUNCO is worth 21 points, but the player has to yell it out to get credit for it. A person who rolls BUNCO gets possession of the fuzzy die or stuffed animal.
  
  
• The player rolls as long as they score one or more points. When they fail to roll the target number on any of the dice, the dice are passed to the player on the left .
  
  
• When the Head Table reaches 21 points, they ring the bell and the round is over for everyone.
  
  
• At the end of each round the winning team from Table 2 and Table 3 move up to a higher table. The losing team from the Head Table moves to Table 3. During the switch partners are changed (i.e., you cannot be partner with the same person you were during the last round).
  

• Players keep track of their scores on their own score card.
  
  
• When a player rolls a BUNCO, that player should make a line next to the ?Buncos? space on their score card. Only the player that actually rolled the BUNCO gets credit. The player?s teammate does NOT get a score.
  
  
• When a team wins a round, both players record a "W" on the line for that round in that set.
  
  
• When a team loses a round, they each record an "L" on the line.
  
  
• BUNCOS are also counted as wins: tally them and add to the win column at the end of the session.
  
  
• At the end of the session, all the players total their wins & losses on their scorecards for a chance at the prizes.
  

Tiebreakers during a Round

If both teams have a tied score at the end of a round, they participate in a roll-off. They are each allowed to roll the dice again for one session to accumulate additional points. Player #1 starts off rolling first. This player will continue to roll and accumulate points as long as they are successfully rolling the number of that round. Each player is given a session to roll and accumulate points for their team to end the tie.

Example, at the end of Round 2, a table's teams is tied. Player #1 rolls "2, 1, 1" and accumulates 1 point. Player #1 rolls again but does not roll any "2" dice. The dice are passed to Players #2 - #4 who all receive chances to accumulate points.

At the end of this session the team with the highest score is deemed winner.

Prizes

At the end of the game, prizes are awarded as follows:

· Most BUNCOs
· Most Wins
· Most Losses
· Last BUNCO
· 50/50: person having (or closest to having) an equal amount of wins and losses

If there are any ties, we select the winner by random draw.

BUNCO LINGO

Bunco!!!

Rolling three of a kind with the current number round being rolled. A BUNCO is always worth 21 points for yourself and your teammate. Remember, only the player who rolls the BUNCO gets the actual BUNCO point at the bottom of their score sheet. If at any time a player at the Head Table rolls a BUNCO they immediately ring the bell to signal the end of that particular round.

Round

A round is a full turn of the number currently being rolled. As noted on the score sheet, each set is broken down into 6 rounds.

Set

The game is divided into 4 sets. 1 Set equals 6 rounds.

Head Table

The Head Table controls the pace of the game.

Ghost

If there are not enough players, a ghost player can be substituted. The ghost?s partner rolls for the ghost.

Roll-Off

If the score is tied at the end of a round there is a "Roll-Off." A Roll-Off is one complete turn around the table -- rolling the current number "up" -- playing one full round at the table while collecting points. The team with the most points after the Roll-Off is the winner.