Bunco

Bunco is the dice game people play at parties: three dice, six rounds and a lot of shouting when someone rolls a Bunco. This version brings one Bunco table to your browser. You and a computer partner take on two computer opponents, rolling for the round number and racing your team to 21. Play the Bunco game online free, with no download or sign-up, on desktop or on your phone.

How to play

Four players sit at the table. You sit at the bottom, your partner Mae sits across from you at the top, and the opponents Gus and Ivy sit on either side. The dice pass to the left, so the turn order alternates between the two teams.

• The round number is the target. In round 1 you want 1s, in round 2 you want 2s, and so on up to 6s in round 6.
• Roll three dice. Each die that shows the round number scores 1 point, so two 4s in round 4 score 2.
• Bunco. All three dice showing the round number is a Bunco, worth 21 points. It also counts on your Bunco tally.
• Other triples. Three of a kind of any other number scores 5 points. This is on by default, and you can switch it off on the start panel or with the triples menu.
• Keep rolling. As long as a roll scores, the same player rolls again. A roll that scores nothing passes the dice to the next player on the left.

Winning a round: partners add their points together. The first team to reach 21 wins the round at once, just as the head table ends a round in party Bunco, so a Bunco always wins the round on the spot. The first roll moves one seat to the left each round.

Winning the game: after six rounds, the team that won more rounds wins. If the rounds are split 3-3, total points across all six rounds break the tie. The scoresheet under the table marks each round W or L, and the game-over panel reads out your wins, losses and Buncos, just like a paper Bunco tally. Your games won, total Buncos and best results are saved in your browser.

Controls

• Click or tap the dice, or press the Roll button, to roll on your turn.
• On a keyboard, Space, Enter or R rolls. P or Esc pauses and N starts a new game.
• The computer players roll on their own. Choose “Fast computers” if you want their turns to move quicker.
• The sound button turns the dice rattle and Bunco fanfare on or off.

Tips

• It’s a luck game, so enjoy the swings. Every player has the same one-in-six chance on each die, and nothing you do changes the odds. A team that is far behind can still win the round with one Bunco.
• Watch the team bars. The green and orange bars show how close each team is to 21. Your partner’s points count for you, so a hot streak from Mae is as good as one of your own.
• Count rounds, not points. Winning a round 21-20 is worth the same as winning it 21-0. Points only matter if the game ends 3-3.
• Try both triples rules. With five-point triples on, rounds move faster and lucky streaks matter more. Switching them off gives the pure count-the-target game.
• Use it to learn the table rules. If you are hosting a Bunco night, a few rounds here show new players how scoring and rolling again work before everyone sits down.

FAQ

Is this Bunco game free?

Yes. It’s free to play in your browser with no account and no install. Press New game whenever you want a fresh start.

How many points is a Bunco?

A Bunco, three dice that all show the current round number, is worth 21 points. Since a round ends when a team reaches 21, a Bunco wins the round for that team immediately.

What happens if I roll three of a kind that isn’t the round number?

By default it scores 5 points and you roll again. Many groups play this rule, and some don’t, so you can switch it off. With it off, a triple of the wrong number scores nothing and the dice move on.

Can I play Bunco with friends here?

This version is a single-player table: you and a computer partner against two computer opponents. For a real party, you need several tables of four, a scoresheet per player and a bell for the head table.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. Tap the dice or the Roll button to roll. The table fits small screens, and touching it won’t scroll the page by accident.

Like rolling dice? Try Yahtzee for a dice game with scoring choices, or push your luck in Farkle.