I'm a Bunko Babe! Are you?

Yes, I did miss Friday Follow.  I've been having a hard time getting online, and then when I finally do, my computer runs soooooooooo s---l---o----w!  I don't know what's going on with it.  I am enjoying the blue sky and sunshine today. Temperatures are warm enough to melt some of the snow.  BUT, I have heard a rumor, that another storm is on its way tomorrow night.  Only eight to 24 stinkin' inches!

Last week, my monthly Bunko game was canceled. I hate when that happens.  My Bunko/bunco (there isn't an official way to spell it. I like using the "k") group has been together for about ten years.  We are known amongst ourselves as "Bunko Babes", however, there are some (husbands) who like to refer to us at the "Hot Flash Bunko Babes". (I suppose the later name IS more accurate.)

If you google "Bunko", you will find that there are a myriad of rules, each group really has their own variation of rules. However, the one rule that everyone must abide by is that there has to be 12 dedicated women (it's not really a game for guys. We've done couples bunko in December a few times, and it has been demanded requested that we do not do that anymore!) Anyway, 12 women, 12 months. Each woman hosts bunko once a year.  That means she is in charge of the meal and prizes.  Some groups have dessert only, some have adult beverages only, we have a full course meal. (But, we have discussed switching to adult beverages only!)

For the prizes she needs  1)Most Points, 2) Most Bunkos, 3) Most Games, and 4) Low Score/Big Loser. 
Our group usually gets everyone a nice prize, since the "Big Loser" needs a little self-esteem builder.

Our dues are $7 a month, which goes to the hostess for food and prizes.  It's barely enough money, but we don't mind donating extra for the food.

Now, on to the rules of the game, and this is where there is a lot of lee-way. This is how we play.  There are three card tables:  the head table (they get the bell to ring), the middle table and the low table.  It doesn't matter where you start.  Each table has three dice, and each lady has a paper and pencil to keep score.  The point is to roll "sixes". Every "six" that is rolled equals one point.  It's your turn to roll as long as you roll a "six". The other thing that gives you a turn is if all the dice are the same number, which is called "overs". If you roll "sixes" on all three dice, that is a BUNKO! The team that rolls the bunko gets six points. Now here is where things get interesting. Whoever scopes up the bunko (minimum of two dice) gets credit for the bunko.  Sometimes they are scoped up so fast, you barely have time to see it, sometimes there is a wrestling match to the floor! (Yes, we are talking ladies, wrestling to the floor for dice!!!)  You can usually tell when someone rolls a bunko because you will hear a scream.

The role of the "head table" is to start and stop the games.  Also, at the head table only, you keep your same partner.  So, someone (usually the grabbiest) at the head table will ring the bell, and this starts the game. Partners sit opposite each other.  When one team at the head table reaches 21 points, they ring the bell again, and all playing stops.  Everyone writes down the number of points, if they won that game, and if they got a "bunko" ( or two or three).  The winners at the head table stay together.  The losers at the head table go down to the low table and change partners. Only the winners advance to the next table, always changing partners unless they are going to the head table. Losers stay where they are, unless they have been defeated at the head table.

To make our games more exciting, we add "busts". A bust is three ones, and that means you lose all your points. But, hey, it's also "overs", so you get to roll again. We used to also keep track of "busts".  And, we had a "traveling bra", the largest we could find at Goodwill.  Whoever, "won" the busts, had to take the bra home, and put one item on it. The following month, the "winner" had to model the bra, and then add her touch to it. We had a very interesting bra at the end of the year.  Unfortunately, some of the women did not like having to model it, so we quit doing that.

There is only one other rule that we have, and that is, if you can't make it, you have to find a sub. And since you have committed to play for the year, you also pay for the sub.

It's a silly game, but we have lots of fun, and have made some good friends. (It's also real important to find 12 women, who all like each other, are willing to commit to the full year, and always pay on time.)

I'll be hosting in June, and I'll let you know how it all goes. 

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