Can you play Bunco or other dice games with 10- or 12-sided dice? You bet — along with these other 10 sided dice games
Elevate a simple dice game to new heights with multi-sided dice
A simple dice game like Bunco works well with three six sided dice, but you can modify the game to new levels of fun with three 10- or 12-sided dice.
10-sided dice, called commonly called D10s (technically "decagonal" or "pentagonal trapezohedron" in mathematical terms) and 12-sided dice (technically "dodecahedron"), called D12s, can make an easy dice game like Bunco where you try to roll a three of a kind intensely more fun and are a great way to make a fast paced game even more frenetic.
Some dice go up to 20 points on a single roll. These dice are used for role playing games and can be used in Bunco, but you’ll have to triple or quadruple the “winning” score amount to make them work.
Consider using a dice cup to take turns rolling
Since D10 and D12 dies are sometimes larger to help people see the numbers on the sides, use a dice cup to help roll all three dice at once. It also helps you feel like a fancy bartender for a moment on each turn.
Modify house rules for what constitutes a Bunco
A Bunco is three dice rolled to represent the round number. But on twelve-sided dice, that doubles the number on each dice, with exponentially longer odds of rolling a Bunco and twice as many rounds. If that feels like too much or too long, consider these house rules:
- Consider awarding points for when two dice match out of three
- You could also opt to play with two dice instead of three dice
- Consider awarding an instant win if someone does roll three dice matching a Bunco with ten- or twelve-sided dice
- Alternatively, consider a "snake eyes" rule, where a player loses a turn, the round, or resets to zero points if they roll specific combinations during a game. Such as risking points by rolling all tens or twelves in any round not matching that round number
- If a player rolls the same number of the round on any two of three dice, consider awarding that person the ability to roll again for up to half the points of their next roll
If two or more players roll the same highest number, the round can be declared a draw.
The highest score wins, but on ten- or twelve-sided dice, we recommend changing the number of points to end the game from 21 to either 42 or even 64 to help extend gameplay. For shorter games, you could leave it at 21.
We also recommend using a pad of paper nearby to serve as a
score sheet since all the points players earn can really add up fast across all the rounds.
Modify the round numbers for what the dice represent
How many rounds you play is set by the number on the dice. If you're playing with ten-sided dice, go up to 10 rounds. If you're playing with twelve-sided dice, roll through 12 rounds.
Other special considerations to play Bunco with ten- or twelve-sided dice
Popular dice games with 10-sided dice
There are numerous dice games that use 10-sided dice, catering to different age groups and skill levels. Some popular examples include:
- Dice War: A simple game of chance where players roll two dice and the highest number wins. This game is great for quick rounds and can be easily adapted for small group instruction.
- 50 Up: In this game, players roll 10 dice and try to get a run of consecutive numbers. It’s a fantastic way to practice counting and recognizing number patterns.
- Tenzi: A fast-paced game where players roll 10 dice and try to remove all their dice by rolling the target number. This game is perfect for developing quick thinking and strategic planning.
- Full Run: Players roll 10 dice and aim to get a run of 6 consecutive numbers and a run of 4 consecutive numbers. This game challenges players to think ahead and make strategic decisions.
These games are fun and help develop important math skills such as probability, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking. Whether you’re playing with friends or using them as educational tools, these dice games offer endless entertainment and learning opportunities.
Play Bunco online, anytime, the traditional way
Bunco can be an exciting dice game, but if you don't have the number of players you need or a single die to work with, visit
PlayBunco.com and start playing on your own. Bunco has simple rules and it's quick to learn if you've not played before.
Check out our Bunco rules guide and start rolling.