What do you get when you combine 12 people, 9 dice, 3 tables of 4 and an unlimited supply of alcohol — a Zaleski Bunco party. Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably asking yourself, “What the hell is Bunco?”
I actually had to look it up. Who knew that this game game was so popular or that it’s been around since the 1800′s! They even have a World Bunco Association.
In short, there are three tables of four players each. Based on the round you’re playing (there are six rounds per game — three games per set) you have to roll the dice and try to match the number on the die to the round number you’re in. For example, round one you’re trying to roll ones on the dice. When a team gets to 21 (at the head table), play ends. Three of the target number is called a Bunco and if you’re lucky enough to be sitting at the head table, play is automatically completed.
As we found out on Saturday night, there seems to be a lot of “house variations” on the rules. However, the basic flow of the game is indicated in the videos below (from Print Your Own Bunco):
Although everything you read denotes that this game is most popular with women, Lori did it as a couple’s night and I thought it went really well. Shannon and I had a great time (provided you weren’t sitting next to the bell and Steven at the head table) and I actually received the prize for the first timed Bunco. I could totally see this as a college drinking game — shots every time the bell rings. Who knows, maybe we’ll do a Bunco for Charity night in the future.
The Zaleski group, as always, were great hosts — thanks for inviting us. The SNL group events always make us feel so young 