How to Keep Score in Bunco

If you like shouting "Bingo," you'll dig this game, too. In addition to sounding alike, both games rely on chance and are fast-paced. Here's how to keep score.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 12 Chairs
• 3 Card Tables
• Bells
• 12 Pencils
• 3 Spiral Notebooks
• 9 Dice

1. Assign one player at each table to be scorekeeper for the round. The scorekeeper tallies the two teams' points for the round and rolls first.
2. Wait to begin until the scorekeeper at the head table rings the bell.
3. Roll the three dice when it's your turn. If any of the dice match the number of the round you're on, you earn a point for each one. (In the fifth round, a roll of 3, 5 and 5 earns two points.)
4. Roll three of any kind and earn five points.
5. Holler "Game!" when you're at the head table and your team reaches 21 total points.
6. Shout "Bunco!" if all three dice match the round number - three 2s in the second round, for example. This earns 21 points instantly.
7. Finish the turn that's been started when the head scorekeeper rings the bell to end the round.
8. Let the scorekeeper declare a winning team at the table. If there's a tie, give everyone at the table another turn to roll until you get a winner.
9. Mark your own scorecard for the round with a "W" for win, "L" for loss and a hash mark if you rolled Bunco.
10. Move to another table if your team lost the round. Stay where you are if your team won.
11. Switch partners.
12. Continue playing the set - going from round 1 to round 6. Play as many sets (two to four) as your group determines.
13. Add up your total wins, losses and Buncos to determine winners of the prizes.

Tips & Warnings

• Both team members get a win or loss, but only the person who rolled the Bunco may claim it on his or her score sheet.
• Score sheets should have a place to mark the round, number of wins, losses and Buncos.
• Keep extra copies of the scorecards on hand.
• There are several variations to playing Bunco. Most notably is the way the round ends - some play until a team at any table scores 21, some until a team at the head table does. Another variation involves who moves at the end of each round - some groups have the winners move (except those at the head table), others have the losers move.