This is how we do it: We have 12 in the group. You need three tables that will seat 4 each. Each woman hosts it at her house once/month. You can decide up front if hosting means dinner or just drinks and light snacks. We've done it both ways. We give prizes for: Most Buncos, Most Games, Least Games, Traveling Snake-Eyes, Traveling Bunco, Rolloff. We've done the prizes two ways: The first -the hostest decides upon a theme and buys six prizes based on that theme (i.e. Christmas is a good theme for December). The second way is everyone brings $5 to play, and the prizes are all monetary. Have fun -it is a super easy game, meant to be, because the focus is on eating and gabbing!

The game is really incidental to the eating, drinking and being merry. The advantage of having the "game" part is people feel more of a sense of obligation to be there than if it's just a routine get-together to eat & chat. If you're kinda not in the mood but you know 11 friends are expecting you, it gets you there and then it's always fun. The other advantage to actually playing the game is people change tables all night so you usually get to sit with & chat with everyone. If you're just meeting friends for food & drink, you tend to sit down & not mingle.

My group has always done themes with the invitation, the prizes, the food, the score cards (we play a little differently than most groups), and often with what we wear. Prior themes have been: Always the Bridesmaid, Slumber Party, Academy Awards, Sound of Music, Fear Factor, Beach Party, holidays, and many, many others over our 10+ years.

We were recently discussing how many cool things we have in our homes that were Bunco prizes. Many admit to buying 2 of many of the prizes: one to give away and one to keep for themself. It hasn't been a cheap hobby!

We usually eat & drink for a bit, play, then eat & drink some more while prizes are awarded.

I'm excited for you and your group...you're going to have a great time.

I've played a few different ways. In my current group, everyone brings 5 dollars and we split the prize money at the end of the night. The winners are: most buncos, high game winner, low game winner and most babies (any time you roll 5 of kind). I have no idea why they are called babies. In one group, when you got a "baby", you got passed a small doll (????). If you still had the doll at the end of the night, you won prize.

Have fun and try not to eat too much!

I'll tell you what happened to our "Bunco" group. A friend started it about 2-3 years ago. The first time we met, there were 12 of us, all women, and we muddled through the game, even though most of us had never played and were confused for most of the time! The next time we met, we didn't have 12 people, so we decided to play a different game. Long story short, we now call our gatherings "Game Night" -- we try to get together every month. The host chooses the game, but we have played everything from Scattergories to Pictionary to "Scene It?" We always have a great time, with lots of laughs. Sometimes we never get to the game -- just have a couple of drinks and some snacks and talk. We usually have anywhere from 5 to 10 people. I enjoy it mainly because these are friends I wouldn't ordinarily see because we live in different towns and don't really cross paths. So I guess what I'm saying it, if the Bunco doesn't work out for you, there are other options. I think my monthly girls' nights out are good therapy!

About fourteen years ago a neighbor insisted I go with her to Bunco group. I participated for about a year and a half and decided it was not my cup of tea--the game was way too boring and slow moving for me and the ladies in the group didn't have too much in common except they all lived in the same neighborhood. Some of the older ladies tended to take it so seriously that we actually had an argument when my partner insisted we were at 21 or whatever it is you go for, and the rest of us knew we weren't. I wouldn't back her up.

That was the last time I played.
I like the idea of different games, but of course any excuse to get out and spend time with friends is good.

I got the house cleaned and the card tables out for Friday night. Now I'm trying to finalize my menu so I can shop tomorrow for food & make anything that can be made ahead of time. Here's what I'm thinking:

chicken salad croissants
cheddar ranch dip with crackers & celery sticks
Olive Cheese Bread (from Pioneer Woman - delicious!!)
Pull-Apart Maple Pecan Sticky Buns from kraftfoods.com

What do you think? Is that enough? I'm going to have at least 12 and maybe one or two more. I'm also going to make a drink called apple pie. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Bunco (aka Drunco) is a nice excuse for a bunch of women to get together and chat and drink. I'd add snack foods for the four tables (nuts, chips/dip, fruit). Mostly I'd have lots of wine and at least one signuture mixed drink that you'd like to serve. Have fun!