Bunco is a dice game for groups of 4 at each table. This page describes common rules, not an official rulebook. House rules vary, so agree on yours before you start.
Players in groups of 4: one table for every 4 players. Our Bunco tool plans seating for 8 to 24 players (2 to 6 tables).
3 dice for each table.
A bell, or anything that makes a clear noise, for Table 1 (the Head Table).
A score pad and pencil at each table, plus a tally card for each player.
Prizes for the end of the night.
The goal
Roll the dice to match the number for the round. A set is 6 rounds: round 1 is for 1s, round 2 is for 2s, and so on up to 6s. Win as many rounds as you can, and roll as many Buncos as you can.
How a round goes
Partners sit across from each other. Each table has 2 teams of 2.
One player rolls all 3 dice. Every die that shows the number for this round scores 1 point.
If you score, you roll again and keep adding to your team total. If you score nothing, the dice pass to the next player.
Many groups end the round when a team at Table 1 reaches 21 points: ring the bell and every table stops at once. Others play until every table is done.
Each table adds up its scores. The team with more points wins the round. Then players move to their next seats, as shown on your card.
Scoring
These are the point values our scorekeeper and tally cards use.
Bunco point values
Roll
Score
3 of a kind that match the round
Bunco: 21 points
3 of a kind that do not match the round
Mini-Bunco: 5 points
Each die that matches the round number
1 point
Common Head Table total that ends the round
21 points
Common house rules
Some groups let a Bunco end the round right away. Others keep playing until the bell.
Some groups add a wipeout (a special roll, such as three 1s, that wipes out the team's score for that round) or another penalty. Agree on it first.
Winners may move up to the next table, or everyone may follow a planned seating chart. Planned seating is what our cards show.
Some groups pass a traveling prize, such as a fuzzy toy, to the player with the most losses.
Ending the night and prizes
After the last round, add up each player's wins, Buncos and Mini-Buncos. Common prize categories are: Most Wins, Most Buncos, Most Mini-Buncos, Most Losses, Traveling Fuzzy / Last Holder.
Our tally cards track wins, Buncos (21 points) and Mini-Buncos (5 points) for you.
Printable rules card for each table
Two cards print on each sheet, one for each table. Print one sheet for every two tables. Tick your group's house rules on the card. Lines are left blank for rules of your own.
A Bunco, which is 3 of a kind matching the round number, is worth 21 points. 3 of a kind of any other number is a Mini-Bunco, worth 5 points. Each single die that matches scores 1 point. House rules vary.
How many people do you need to play Bunco?
Groups of 4 make a table, so 8, 12 or 16 players is common. Our tools plan seating for 8 to 24 players.
How does the Head Table bell work?
Table 1 is the Head Table. When a team there reaches 21 points, someone rings the bell and all tables stop. This is a common house rule, and some groups play it differently.
Who moves to a new table after each round?
Some groups move the winners up a table. Our cards use planned seating, which lists the table and partner for every round so nobody has to work it out.
How many dice do you need?
3 dice for each table. A bell for the Head Table is also handy.