bunco

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Bunco (also Bunko and Bonko) is a parlour game played in teams with three dice. A winning throw in Bunco is to throw three of a kind of a specified number.

According to the World Bunco Association,^[1] Bunco began as a progressive dice game in England, later being imported to the American West as a gambling activity. It was not until after the Civil War that it evolved to a popular parlor game. The Association states that during Prohibition, Bunco as a gambling game was re-popularized and the term "Bunco-Squad" was born, referring to law-enforcement groups that busted up Bunco Gaming. Bunco as a family game saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1980s. Although re-released in 2005 with a tagline reading "The game that's sweeping the nation," sales were initially low though senior citizens and young adults alike have found interest in the game.^{[citation needed]}

In recent years, the game has seen a resurgence in popularity in America, particularly among middle-aged suburban women. As it is played today, Bunco is a social dice game involving 100% luck and no skill (there are no decisions to be made),^[2] scoring and a simple set of rules. Women who are part of a Bunco club take turns as the Bunco hostess, providing snacks, refreshments and the tables to set up the games. The hostess may also provide a door prize. Small amounts of money can be involved as well. The object of the game is to accumulate points and to roll certain combinations. The winners get prizes (provided by the hostess or pooled from the club resources) for accomplishments such as the highest score, the lowest score, or the most buncos. Prizes frequently center on themes associated with the game such as fancy dice, dice embedded in soap, t-shirts featuring illustrations of dice, etc.

Bunco fundraisers have become increasingly popular over the years, earning large sums for a wide variety of charities. Large groups of bunco players have come together to support their favorite charities by paying an entry fee into the game, holding silent auctions, and by selling raffle tickets; with all proceeds from the event donated to the cause.^[3]

Rules

Rules can have house variants. But the standards widely recognized nationwide are: Players alternate turns. A turn consists of rolling 3 dice aiming to obtain the specified number. Players gain one point for each of the specified number. If the player gets three-of-a-kind of the specified number they get twenty-one points. The round stops when a player at the head table obtains twenty-one points. Then the next round starts. There are six rounds. They progress in order from one to six, inclusive. Note who wins each round. Whoever wins the most rounds is the total winner and usually receives a token prize.

Popularity

A Press Release issued by Procter & Gamble who feature the game in a 2008 advertisement for their Anti-Heartburn medicine Prilosec OTC, stated in 2006 that over 29 million people play Bunco regularly.^[4] As of October 2008, Procter and Gamble has discontinued their Bunco Championship.^[5][6]

References

1. ^ [1]World Bunco Association
2. ^ "Suburban Moms Forge Bonds Over Bunco" washingtonpost.com, Feb 4th, 2007
3. ^ [2]
4. ^ CINCINNATI, Feb 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network
5. ^ Thanks for the memories! So Long Bunco from Prilosec OTC. Accessed October 29, 2008
6. ^ So Long Bunco online version of email sent to all Prilosec Bunco Club members on October 28, 2008

External links

• World Bunco Association - has a good, brief history which mentions the Chicago connection and provides, consequently, perspective on the film, The Sting.
• Bunco Rules - game instruction and printable materials
• Bunco Score Cards
• Bunco FAQs
• Bunco Space - Find local Bunco players
• Bunko Rules
• Bunco Casino Game
• Bunco Game Shop - Offers a Free Bunco Fundraising Guide, Bunco Rules, Bunco Games and Party Supplies]
• Print Your Own Bunco - created by professional artist, Tara Reed, Bunco players can find many themes to 'bring art to the bunco table'. High quality art, never clip art. New themes added regularly.