The Bunco Game - Ingrained In America's History
You've heard the term "bunco squads" on TV and movie police
shows. Could this term have anything to do with the fun, fast
and furious dice game that is taking the country by storm? The
game of bunco is deeply ingrained into the history of America.
The game, originally called 8-dice cloth, began in 18th century
England. It was introduced in the San Francisco, California area
in 1855 by a gambler who made his way across North America,
including multiple visits to California during the gold rush.
Along the way he changed a few of the rules, and renamed it
banco. A few years later the name evolved to bunco or bunko.
Around the same time that bunco was being played, a Spanish card
game called banka was also making its rounds within gambling
communities. The combination of bunco dice and banka cards soon
showed up at the gambling facilities. These locations soon
became known as bunco parlors. Since many gamblers found
themselves parted from large quantities of money at these
parlors, the word "bunco" became synonymous with scammed and
swindled.
After the Civil War and into the new century, bunco thrived as
the economy recovered and the population grew. Nearly all the
large cities in the U.S. had bunco games in operation between
1870 and 1880. All levels of society took to the parlor game ...
some located in plush, lavish surroundings, and others in more
stark surroundings, or offices.
A wonderful and fun way to promote social interaction, the
traditional family or parlor game of bunco flourished throughout
the Victorian Era and prior to World War I. Groups generally
consisted of 8-12 people, with as many as 20 people enjoying an
evening of friendly competition, as well as drink, food, and
conversation.
Bunco gambling parlors resurfaced in various regions of the U.S.
during the prohibition period and the roaring 20s. Chicago,
Illinois had the most gambling parlors and speak-easy's. And,
who were detectives who raided these parlors? You guessed I ...
they were called the "bunco squads."
When prohibition ended, bunco activity declined in the major
cities around the country; but spread to the suburbs as a family
activity, or social event. From the 1940s to the early 1980s,
not much is known about where, how, or if the game was even
played.
In the early 1980s, bunco games and parties began to reemerge
all over the country. Women occupied with work, family and
overly busy lifestyles were looking for something new and fun to
do with their families, friends and neighbors. Bunco has become
a great alternative to back yard barbeques and plain old visits.
Many have found that the game has enabled them to stay connected
with their friends, meet new acquaintances, and have a lot of
fun at the same time! As time becomes even more valuable, many
people are starting their own bunco groups, and enjoying weekly
or monthly bunco parties. If you're looking for an opportunity
to schedule some fun, family and friends into your life, check
out http://www.buncogameshop.com where you will find bunco
rules, games, and bunco party supplies to help you get your own
bunco group started. You'll soon be hooked on the game, and
become part of the continuing history of bunco.