Tips for 1St Bunco Party

Updated on April 18, 2010
G.H. asks from Chicago, IL
10 answers

I am having a bunco party tomorrow night. Only one of the moms knows how to play so she will be teaching all of us. I am NOT a good party thrower so I wanted to see if there is something fun you do to keep your guest happy. Not to many of the woman know eachother well as most are mothers I met in the kindergarten line, so I am feeling extra pressure. Thanks for any input.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

When I attended my first bunco party it was a similar situation - very few of us knew how to play & many of us were Moms from the kindergarten class. It actually went really well. I think with everyone being Moms of children the same age, we had a lot in common so there wasn't a shortage of things to talk about. The lady who hosted the party had both alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks. She also had snacks - some healthy, some more dessert-type so there was something for everyone. And bunco was actually a fun game to play - not much skill involved, just luck so it's a nice game to play that still allows for time to socialize. Have fun!!

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

food and liquor! I don't play, but I always hear others talking about it.

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H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Since it's a group of unfamiliar women, a little bit of good food might break the ice. A few dips, and something chocolate! Even some wine, (if it's that type of group). I've never played bunco, but I love mom's/girls night. Sounds like fun!

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Lots of food!!! :-)

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M.F.

answers from Chicago on

Just make sure there is food, some kind of soft background noise, and something to keep the mood light, or an ice breaker of sorts. And if you notice some of the women cliqueing together, do something to include everyone. Once people begin talking, the party will take on a life of its own. Good luck!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have been to 2 bunco party's. Loved them. Bunco is a riot. and so simple. the only thing we did was have snacks on hand and paper and pencil for the scores. the hostess also provided to little prize things. one for the team with the lowest score and one for the team with the highest score. it wasn't anything big. i didn't win lol but think it was a chocolate bar. have fun. you will love it.

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R.M.

answers from Nashville on

Bunco is so much fun! It is very simple, and the way you play is you are constantly changing seats, so even if conversation is stagnant in one area, you will move pretty quickly. I have been to a couple different types of bunco groups. The first one had a set 12 members and they rotated as hostess and on their turn each month, they provided an easy meal, like chili with toppings, drinks like soda, and an easy dessert. We ate, we played, we ate dessert while they figured out prizes. The prizes are usually just the money from the pot divvied up. But in that group the hostess also provided a boobie prize for the most losses. It was something like a candle or easy gift.

The group I play in now is more of a free for all. No set limit to the number of people, we just keep adding tables as needed. And everyone brings a dish and it is BYOB. I usually bring a dip but lots of people bring a dessert, or do things like mini quiches or meatballs or other finger foods. Hostess provides sodas and paper plates, etc. In both groups, the hostess puts out dishes of nuts or trail mix on each table. One time it was all the leftover Halloween candy. No boobie prize, just the pot money split up. Sometime the hostess will provide sangria or other alcoholic beverage to share.

One fun thing we did was to have a silly gaudy tiara and every time someone gets a bunco, they get to wear the tiara until someone else gets it. Last one with the tiara gets a token portion of the pot. Also, make sure you have 3 dice, notepads and pens for each woman on the tables. The first group I played in they would make cute little scorecards for each lady to wear around their neck. So if it was in February, it might be a cutout red heart (construction paper) on a curly ribbon, the woman would write her name on it, and then there was also a hole punch on each table. Each time you got a bunco you would punch a hole in one area, and each loss and win would be written on it or punched in an area, to keep track of everything. Flowers could be cute this month. We don't bother with that in my current group, but it was kind of fun to do it that way.

Hope that helps, you will have a great time!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from Eugene on

Definately chocolate. Chips and dip. Munchy food and snacks. You could do little sandwiches. I would put pretzels or peanut / chex mix type stuff in bowls on each of the table. Have fun with it. It's a great game to play!! When I played we won money instead of prizes. We also did themed parties too. I hope you have fun.

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

I have only attended one Bunco party. My hostess encouraged everyone to snack and socialize before the game actually began, because it's really hard to snack and roll the dice and pay attention to the game all at the same time. Especially if you have never played before. We talked and ate for about an hour before we actually sat down to play. The game took about an hour, with a short break in the middle to refill beverages and use the restroom. We all kicked in $15, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place won the money. 1st got the most, then 2nd, then 3rd. I can't remember exactly how much they won. We had a tie for 3rd, so we had to do some fancy math to figure it out. It was really fun and I had a great time. Good luck!

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

We always did prizes. but that was with a group of ladies from the church. Go with the group on which to do. Look up rules online and maybe have a few copies on hand. the rules are beyond easy though.
Have little bowls for every table with maybe one sweet option and one salty per table. Offer 1 fun non-alocholic drink as well. We never drank fo course, but booze needs to be a group based decision as well.
The most important rule.....relax and have fun!
Good for you to host this event.

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