Girl's Night Out

For decades, Dad has had his poker night out with the boys. And now, over the last couple of years, Mom has been having her Bunco night out with the girls.

“It’s a woman’s thing,” says Nancy Siberry, of Manahawkin, who plays once a month with 12 of her friends. “You go out with your friends, hang out, have a glass of wine.”

Bunco is a dice game that back during the Roaring Twenties was played by shady characters in speakeasies. The old police term “Bunco Squad” referred to the units that raided those illegal dens of gambling and drinking (www.worldbunco.com).

Today Bunco has cleaned up its act, and the “den” where it’s most likely to be played is the kind  next to the family room in somebody’s nice house out in the ‘burbs. More than 59 million women played Bunco in the past year, 27 million of whom play it regularly, according to the company that sells the “official” boxed game and accessories (www.bunco.com).

The idea is to roll three dice and score points by matching the “target” number for each round. If you roll three 1s, everybody yells “Bunco!” and you get extra points. But while in a game like poker cash changes hands across the table, Siberry and each of her friends kick in $5 to a kitty and buy a gift that goes to the winner.

Many Bunco groups across the country hold annual fundraisers for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, donating nearly half a million dollars since 2002. Siberry and friends (www.manahawkinbunco.com) held their first benefit in 2007, at the suggestion of one regular player who is now a two-year breast cancer survivor.

Last year’s all-women event was held at a local school, attracting 170 players and raising $4,430. This year, Siberry says, “We are setting up for 300, and hope to double the fundraising.” The event is scheduled for April 18.

It will be a special evening for the ladies of Manahawkin. And in a different way, so are their monthly get-togethers. They don’t do it to compete, or for the prizes. It’s a chance to socialize — the Girl’s Night Out, Bunco-style. Roll the dice and try it…you might be hosting your own game soon!
   

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