Bunco for Backpacks - Official Instructions and Rules

Bunco for Backpacks

12 February 2009

Rules of the Game

Players are seated 4 to a table. There will be 12 tables total: 4 groups of 3 tables each (high, middle, and low tables). One Head Table will control all 12 tables. Select a player to keep score for the entire table. A game will consist of 5 rounds (2's thru 6's). Players earn points by rolling the three dice. In each round, players are trying to roll the target number. During the first round you roll for 2's, second round 3's, etc. The OBJECTIVE is for you and your partner (the person sitting across from you) to roll more of the target number than the other team when the Head Table rings the bell.

To begin - someone at the Head Table rings the bell to start the round. All tables begin rolling for the target number.

One point is awarded to the TEAM for each target number rolled successfully. Five points are awarded to the TEAM for rolling three of a kind of any number except the current target number (a baby bunco). For example, rolling three 5's in round 3 earns 5 points. BUNCO! is called when rolling 3 of a kind of the target number. For example, rolling three 3's when the target number is 3. Rolling BUNCO is worth 21 points for the TEAM, but the player has to yell it out to get credit for it. Record all Buncos and baby Buncos on the bottom of only your scorecard (not your partner’s). Rolling three 1’s is a WIPEOUT. All points accumulated during that round for the TEAM are wiped out and play rotates to the next player. Record all wipeouts at the bottom of your scorecard.

A player’s turn ends when they no longer roll (1) a target number, (2) a baby bunco, (3) a bunco, or (4) when they roll a wipeout.

As soon as a team from the head table reaches 21 points, they ring the bell ending the round for EVERYONE. Players currently rolling finish their turn. The winning team is the team with the most points at the end of the round. Record the round as a win (W) or loss (L) on your scorecard.

Players will ROTATE after 5 rounds (after numbers 2 – 6 are played). The LOSING team from the HIGH TABLE leaves and goes to the low table. The WINNERS stay. The LOSING teams from the middle and low table STAY at their tables & the WINNERS move up a table.

You cannot have the same partner twice in a row. So switch when you switch tables.

Prizes will be awarded for the most wins, most losses, most baby buncos, and most wipeouts. The grand prize of the evening will be awarded for the most buncos. In the event of a tie, a roll-off with a single die for the highest number will determine the winner.