They sell boxed Bunco games at Target and WalMart, but they’re catered to a very girls-night-out crowd (the dice are hot pink, for pity sake) and look pretty cheaply made.  I was sure I could come up with something better so I ran to the dollar store and grabbed a few packs of dice, colorful pens (for scorekeeping), and some cheap prizes.  I whipped up the scorecards on my computer while my husband set up some folding tables in the basement.  In less than 20 minutes (and for about $12) our Bunco game was set up and ready to go – just in time for the guests to arrive.

Overall, the game was a big success.  Since the game requires players to switch partners every round, there were tons of opportunities to mix; so every player got a chance to pair up with (and trash talk) every other player.   Additionally, there’s really no strategy to Bunco (it’s an easy-to-learn, pure luck game) so my 6 year-old daughter had just as much chance of winning as her Grandpa did.  In fact, it was my 8 year-old son Jack who beat us all and was promptly crowned the ‘King of New Years’.  The effect was exactly what I was hoping for – a few hours of laughter and fun for adults and kids alike.

After the party, I started thinking about how many other ways I could use Bunco.  For example, there are several new couples in our ward that I’m anxious to invite over and I think this game would be a great way to laugh and get acquainted.  It would also be a fabulous mutual game – perfect for combined young men/young women activities because the partners get to switch all the time.  And of course, it makes a fantastic girls night game.  The group I was part of in Ohio had monthly Bunco nights – each month at a different house.  It was a monthly get-away that we all looked forward to!

Some people think that Bunco is limiting because it’s traditionally only played with 12 people.  However, we’ve played it with as few as 8 and as many as 24.  You just need to adjust the number of game tables and teams per table to your specific number of players.  You can even play with odd numbers if you play with a “ghost” (read the comments area for more details) or skip the ‘team’ idea completely and have everyone roll for their own points.  Trust me, there are ways to make it work for any type of party.  All you need is a group of energetic players and a Bunco Kit of your own and you’ll be good to go.

The good news is that now you don’t have to settle on that obnoxiously pink kit that’s available in the stores.  I spent the last few days re-designing the Bunco Kit I hurriedly made on New Years and it’s now available in my Etsy shop.  It’s colorful, coordinated, and perfect for any of the Bunco parties I described above.  Best of all, it’s available in two forms –  the ready-to-go pre-cut set (handmade by me) or a printable set (to be handmade by you).  Whichever option you choose, you’ll have everything you need to get your party rolling in no time (sorry, I just couldn’t resist that pun).

I hope you guys love it as much as we did!  Good luck.  Let me know if you have any questions or if you come up with any other clever ways to use this great game.  I’m always looking for new party ideas.  Just thought I’d pass it on.