The quick setup

Bunco works best with 12 players — three tables of four. Label them Head, Middle, and Low. You’ll need three dice per table, pens, score sheets, and a bell or buzzer for the head table. The aim? Roll the round’s number (1s in round 1, 2s in round 2, etc.).

How a round works

Every player rolls in turn. You score one point per matching die, 5 points for any triple, and a Bunco if all three dice show the round number — an instant win for that round! When the head table reaches 21 points, everyone stops and moves tables. Winners move “up,” losers move “down,” and partners rotate.

Hosting tips that guests love

• Use name tags and table cards to make rotations easy.
• Have small prizes for “Most Wins,” “Most Buncos,” or “Most Losses.”
• Pick a fun theme — colors, snacks, or retro music night work great.

A quirky backstory

Bunco actually started as a parlor game in 19th-century England and became so popular in San Francisco that gambling dens were nicknamed “Bunco parlors.” Today, it’s still the ultimate social dice game for big groups.

Ready to host? Download score sheets and table cards here: → Bunco Printables