Instructions for Bunco
Bunco is a social dice game typically played with 12 people. The game consists of six rounds, and the object is to roll the dice and land on the number corresponding to that round. For example, during Round 1, the target number is 1. Since Bunco is purely luck, it's usually played in a lighthearted, non-competitive manner.
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Setup
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Set up three tables, labeled "head," "middle" and "bottom," with four chairs at each table. On each table, place three dice, a score sheet and pencil for each player, and a scratch pad for the table's Scorekeeper. Place a bell on the head table. Label 12 cards, with four cards for each category of "head," "middle" and "bottom," to designate seating assignments. Divide each table into two teams and designate one person to be the table's scorekeeper.
General Instructions
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Each table's scorekeeper rolls the dice first. One point is awarded for each target number rolled. Rolling three of a kind other than the target number is worth five points. Rolling three target numbers is a "Bunco!" and the player receives 21 points. If the player's roll scores no points, play moves to the left and continues until a team at the "Head" table scores 21 points or gets a "Bunco!" After scores are tallied, players with the highest team score at each table get a "W," or win. Each player on the other team scores an "L" or loss. Winning teams advance to other tables. After four sets of six rounds, each person totals Buncos, wins and losses.
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Tiebreaker
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If a round ends in a tie, a"roll-off" occurs. The players take turns rolling to accumulate additional points. If the target number is not rolled and no points are scored, the next players get a chance. After all players involved in the tie have rolled, the scores are tallied again. If the game is still tied, another roll-off is held. Roll-offs will continue until the tie is broken.
Variations
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There are three commonly used variations of play. In "Traveling," a fuzzy die is placed on the head table at the start of the game. Whenever a "Bunco!" is rolled, the fuzzy die is thrown to the roller. The player holding the fuzzy die at the end wins a prize. In "Wipeout," only rounds two to six are played. If three ones are rolled during the game, the player loses all his points in a "wipeout." In "Scramble," after anyone rolls a "Bunco!," all players scramble to grab the three dice. One point is awarded for each die held.
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References
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