Bunco Rules

Summary

• There are six rounds in each set of Bunco. The bell signals the beginning and the end of each round.
• Players earn points by rolling three dice. In each round, players are trying to roll the same number as the number of the round (for example, rolling
  in Round 3). One point is awarded for each number rolled that matches the round number. A player continues rolling until no points are scored. The scorekeeper records this score on the table tally as the temporary team score. The dice then pass to the player on the left. The round is over when the Head Table reaches 21 points.
• Players change partners at the end of each round.  The player with the most BUNCOs, wins, losses, etc, at the end wins. Normally, two to four sets are played at a time.

Equipment

You can start with a boxed Bunco game or, for a more customized experience, you can buy the components separately:

• Three dice for each table
• One Bunco score sheet for each player
• One Bunco table tally for each table
• One pencil for each player
• A bell for the head table
• A large, fuzzy dice or other soft object to be used as a Traveler (optional)

And, if you like, include food, drinks, and dice-themed decor!

Getting Started

• Place three dice, Bunco table tallies or scratch paper, and pencils on each table. A bell is placed on the Head Table (known as table #1).
• Four players should sit around the table and the players sitting opposite each other are partners for the first round.
• Designate one player as scorekeeper at each table. The scorekeeper uses the table tally to track each team's points.
• Each player gets one Bunco score card. At the end of each round, the individual player's score is recorded on the score sheet.

Rolling and Scoring

In each round, players score points when the number shown on any die is the same number as that round. One point is awarded for each matching number rolled.

For instance, in Round 1, the object is to roll (three ones); If the player rolls two ones, the player receives two points and rolls again.

In Round 2, the object is to roll (three twos); If the player rolls a single the player receives one point and rolls again, and so forth. If a player rolls three of the number of the round being played (example: in round 4), that's a BUNCO. A BUNCO is worth 21 points. If any player rolls three of another number (example: rolling in round 4), the team receives 5 points.

How to Play

The Head Table signals the start of play by ringing the bell. Then the scorekeeper at each table picks up the three dice and rolls them to start the round. Each die is read separately (they are not added together).

Round 1, each "ONE"		rolled is worth a point.
Round 2, each "TWO"		rolled is worth a point.
Round 3, each "THREE"		rolled is worth a point.
Round 4, each "FOUR"		rolled is worth a point.
Round 5, each "FIVE"		rolled is worth a point.
Round 6, each "SIX"		rolled is worth a point.

• Rolling three-of-a-kind of the same number of the round you're on is a BUNCO. For example, rolling in Round 4 or in Round 5 is a BUNCO. The player must call out "BUNCO!" to receive 21 points, and then must keep rolling (unless the player is sitting at the Head Table in which case she would ring the bell signaling the end of that round.)
• Rolling three-of-a-kind other than the number of the round you're on is worth five points for the temporary team score on the table tally. For example, rolling in Round 4 is worth five points.
• A player continues rolling until no points are rolled, even if the round is over. You may roll a BUNCO even after the bell has rung!

EXAMPLE: Round 1 Head Table(Each   rolled is worth one point)

Bell is rung by the Head Table to signify start of the round. 

Player #1 (Scorekeeper) rolls...

The scorekeeper writes down 3 points under "US" on the Bunco table tally.

Player #2 rolls...

The scorekeeper writes down 2 points under "THEM" on the Bunco table tally.

Player #3 (Scorekeeper's partner) rolls...

The Scorekeeper adds 5 points to score for "US" on the Bunco table tally.

Player #4 (Player #2's partner) rolls...

Winning the Round

• The team can win the round without rolling a BUNCO. The round ends when the Head Table accumulates 21 points.
• The Head Table rings the bell to signal the end of the round.

Individual Player Scoring

• Players keep track of their rounds on their own BUNCO Score Card.
• When a player wins a round, they record a "W" on the line.
• When a player loses a round, they record an "L" on the line.
• When a BUNCO is rolled, record each occurrence in the line "BUNCOs_______ " (NOTE: Only the player who rolled the BUNCO will record the occurrence of rolling the BUNCO in that round; the player's partner will not.)
• For example, in the game shown above, the winning team players, #2 & #4 will record a " W " on the first " ________ " line. The player who rolled a BUNCO will record their occurrence in the line provided.
• The Bunco score card should look like this:

EXAMPLE CONTINUED: Round 2 (Each rolled is worth ONE point) through Round 6

• Change partners at the beginning of each round.
• Someone must volunteer to keep score at the beginning of each round.
• Rounds 2-6 are played exactly as Round 1 except that in each round points are awarded for the number of the dice that is the same as the number of that particular round. So in Round 2, the object is to roll and a BUNCO will be .
• To begin Round 2, the scorekeeper at Table 1 (the Head Table) will ring the bell and all tables can begin rolling. Continue with each round until all the rounds are completed (or you decide to conclude).

Finalizing Your Score

When the rounds are completed, count up all the occurrences of Wins (or W's), and Losses or (L's). Place the total in the line Wins_________ and Losses_________.

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 are tied. Player #1 rolls and accumulates 1 point. Player #1 rolls again but does not roll any dice. The dice are passed to Players #2 , #3, and #4 who all receive chances to accumulate points.

If at the end of this session one team is now in the lead, the roll-off ends. The team with the highest score is deemed winner.

If at the end of this first session the teams are still tied, additional roll-off session(s) are repeated until the tie is broken.

Traveling (Optional)

• If you choose to add TRAVELING to your game, a small bean bag or other soft, tossing object such as large fuzzy dice is introduced.
• "Traveling" occurs whenever a specific set of numbers are rolled (example:
  in ANY round) or three-of-a-kind of any non-BUNCO trio (example:
  in ANY round except round 5).
• When the specified trio of numbers is rolled, the player yells "TRAVELING!" and the bag or object is tossed to the lucky player. The player holds it until another player rolls TRAVELING.
• The player holding the bag or object at the end of the game wins the prize!

Prize Categories (Optional)

If you choose to set up award categories, here are some suggestions:

• Most Buncos
• Most Wins (Person with most "W" (wins))
• 1/2 Wins and 1/2 Losses (Person with even split of wins and losses)
• Most Losses
• Last Bunco
• Traveling (Last person holding traveling bag)