Both are dice games for a group, but they feel nothing alike. Bunco is a party game of pure luck, played in rounds at several tables. Liar’s Dice is a small bluffing game: bid on what is under all the cups, or call Liar.
| Bunco | Liar’s Dice | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 12 in three teams of four tables, or any multiple of 4 | 2 to 6 |
| Played with | 3 dice per table, a bell and a score pad | 5 dice and a cup for each player |
| Type | Rolling for points | Bluffing |
| Level | Easy | Easy |
| How long | About an hour and a half | 20 minutes |
| The goal | Reach 21 points first at your table in each of six rounds, and win the most rounds across the evening. | Be the last player with any dice left, by bluffing and by catching other players’ bluffs. |
| How you win | After six rounds, the player with the most round wins is the champion. Prizes also go to most Buncos and most losses. | The last player who still has dice wins. |
Choose Bunco if
- you are hosting a party for 12 or any multiple of 4
- you want pure luck, with a bell and prizes
- you have an evening: about an hour and a half
Choose Liar’s Dice if
- you have two to six players around one table
- you like bluffing and reading people
- you want a game in about 20 minutes with a cup and five dice each
