Bunco
Roll three dice, hunt for the round's number and shout Bunco!
How to play Bunco
Bunco (also spelled Bunko) is a fast and noisy party game with three dice. There is nothing to plan: you roll, you count, and you cheer. Here you play in two teams of two, with a computer partner against two computer rivals, or every player for themselves against one to three computers.
Goal
Win more of the six rounds than anyone else. If round wins are tied, the side with the most points in the whole game wins.
Turn by turn
- The game has six rounds. In round 1 you look for 1s, in round 2 for 2s, and so on up to 6s. The number to hunt is always shown above the dice.
- On your turn press Roll to throw the three dice.
- Each die that shows the round number scores 1 point.
- Three of a kind of any other number scores 5 points.
- Three dice that all show the round number are a Bunco! It scores 21 points and wins the round on the spot.
- If your roll scored anything, you roll again. If it scored nothing, the dice pass to the next player.
Winning a round
Points only count inside the current round. The first side to reach 21 points in the round wins it. In team play your points and your partner's points are added together, so both of you help the team. Partners sit across from each other, so the turns go: you, a rival, your partner, the other rival.
End of the game
After round 6 the side with the most round wins takes the game. Total points break a tie. The scoreboard also counts every Bunco, the best moment of any game.
Playing here
Press Roll or the R key. Between rounds press Next round (N). Computer players roll by themselves. Pick a slower or faster speed above the board, or press Skip (S) to jump to your next turn. There is no money or betting of any kind.
Tips and fun facts
- It is pure luck. No choice changes your odds, so relax and enjoy the noise. That is why Bunco is a favourite at parties.
- Each roll scores about half the time. The chance that at least one of three dice shows the round number is a little over 42%, and three of a kind adds a bit more.
- A Bunco is rare. Three dice of the round number come up once in 216 rolls, so cheer loudly when it happens.
- Long turns win rounds. A single player on a hot streak can carry a team to 21. That is why the lead can swing so fast.
- Use the speed setting. Choose Fast when you want a quick game, or Relaxed when you want to watch every roll.
Bunco FAQ
What is a Bunco?
Three dice that all show the number of the current round, like three 4s in round 4. It scores 21 points and wins the round at once.
What do three of a kind score?
Three of a kind of any other number, like three 2s in round 5, score 5 points and you roll again.
Is there any skill in Bunco?
No. Bunco is a game of pure luck, so the computer players have no difficulty levels. They follow the same rules and roll the same fair dice as you.
How do teams work here?
In team play you and your computer partner add your points together against two computer rivals. In solo play every player keeps their own score.
