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Is Bunco a cult? Here’s how the classic parlor game compares to cult fandom


Bunco fans are sure their game is the pinnacle of parlor games. It’s got a rich history, you can play Bunco for money (or prizes), and you can bring in more and more followers each time you play. How does it compare to a real, bonafide cult, though?

First, we need to break down the core characteristics of a real cult.

What makes a cult a cult?


There are eight key characteristics of a cult:

  1. Authoritarian or overly charismatic leadership
  2. Exclusive claims to truth
  3. Manipulative persuasion techniques
  4. Isolation from outside influences
  5. Exploitation (usually in the form of money, labor, or emotions)
  6. Total control over daily life
  7. Us-vs-them mentality
  8. Unquestionable commitment and demands for loyalty

Now, let’s see how each compare against Bunco fans:

Venn diagram comparing cult traits with the game Bunco, showing overlaps like addictiveness and dedication, and differences such as authoritarian leadership in cults versus open, varied community in Bunco, with 'Play at playbunco.com' at the bottom.

A Cult Bunco
🟢 Has authoritarian or charismatic leadership 🔴 Does not have authoritarian or charismatic leadership
🟢 Has exclusive claims to truths 🔴 Bunco fans can’t even agree on the House Rules
🟢 Has manipulative lies or persuasive techniques 🟢 Bunco is more than a little addictive once you start playing
🟢 Isolates players from outside influences 🟢 You do get isolated from time and the outside world while playing
🟢 Exploitive behavior against disciples 🟢 Bunco players can, rather famously, be conned out of money
🟢 Total control over daily life is typical 🟡 Bunco fans can play for hours, online or in person.
🟢 Us-vs-them mentality for people “inside the bubble” is common 🔴 Bunco fans often play other games, like Mexican Train, LCR, and more
🟢 Unquestionable commitment or demands are typical 🟡 Some Bunco groups have met regularly for decades
By all empirical observations, Bunco is not a cult.

However, it appears that with strong leadership and an exclusive claim to the most fun game for social gatherings and events, Bunco could plausibly be re-classified as a cult later.

For now, proceed with no risk to PlayBunco.com.

You can play online, in your browser, with no downloads, sign-up, or apps required.