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Bunco

I am curious to hear what other people think of bunco.  I guess it's pretty controversial and I've heard both "sides" as to why it is either a: of the devil or b: just an innocent girls night out.

So, share your thoughts in the comments or fill out the poll on the sidebar.
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Comments

Kendall and Norda said…
Don't know what Bunco is, but I am curious now...

And our blog address is kendallandnorda.blogspot.com

PS - I do love the look of your blog, sorry you lost all your addresses. :(
January 6, 2010 at 8:04 AM
bevany said…
I think it depends on who you play it with and what you're playing for. I've heard of people playing for money and things. When I've played we all just brought a $5 prize and everyone leaves with one. Or I've played where everyone puts in $5 and the person hosting buys a few bigger prizes that the top people win.
It's so fun if you play with the right people. I wish we lived closer so we could set a group up!
January 6, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Clarissa Jo Baxter said…
I personally don't really care for bunco, probably because I have only played once. But my mom feels very strongly that it is gambling. So to make her happy I just don't play. :)

our blog address is lcbaxterfamily.blogspot.com
January 6, 2010 at 9:04 AM
J and Company said…
You know, I didn't know anything about the controversy until after I was invited to go to someone's group to cover for someone that couldn't come. I went and had a pretty good time actually. Then I told my Mom and she was appalled LOL (She happens to agree that it is gambling). I guess I didn't think it was any different from say yahtzee. I dunno. I didn't really see the big deal.
January 6, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Greg and/or Angie said…
If I'm not mistaken, a letter from the Church came out about that a few years ago discouraging it. I may remember that incorrectly, but I think my Dad still has a copy of it, or would remember that. I think the whole issue is around the payment into the games and the commitment to supply a replacement if you can't participate. It's not the same as a slot machine, but basically you pay into a game of chance, so I think it was just sort of a borderline thing. I've played it before, but have never wanted to join a group just because the requirement to pay and ensure either you or someone else was there takes all the fun out of getting together with friends. Angie was in a group a long time ago, but only for a short time because it just became too much of a hassle.
January 6, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Kristen said…
The Bishop in my old ward spoke in Relief Society one Sunday and asked us not to participate in Bunco/Bonko, so I don't. I can't remember what his reasons were (if he gave any) but I remember his counsel.

And I love your new blog template.
January 6, 2010 at 9:25 AM
janet said…
it's totally innocent... and so much fun if you have the right group. You don't HAVE to play for money. But in my opinion, $5 a month isn't the same as a gambling habit. With that said, I might be excommunicated.
January 6, 2010 at 9:32 AM
Laura said…
I'm not going to overthink it - it's just fun... I guess. don't even know how to play :) does that mean I'm not a mormon housewife until I learn? :)
January 6, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Tara Reed said…
Bunco doesn't have to involve money although it seems to be the norm. A small amount put in the pot to cover prizes of some sort.

I think Bunco is what you and your friends make of it, but mostly a scheduled time for women to get together and bond.

Tara Reed, artist
www.PrintYourOwnBunco.com
January 6, 2010 at 2:52 PM
The Treasures said…
I totally think it's of the devil and that's why I play it. ;) I think it is a totally innocent girls night out.
January 6, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Beau and Rach said…
we play where everyone puts in $10 and the hostess makes food and buys prizes and everyone leaves with something so I don't feel like it's gambling. I figure $10 for a girl night out with food and prizes is money well spent but I can see how it could be gambling if you were playing for a pot of money or just one big prize because then there's a risk factor. So that's my 2 cents. Oh and our Bishop's wife plays with us :)

whiteandcompany.blogspot.com :)
January 6, 2010 at 5:44 PM
skcoe said…
Ooh, look at this hot topic you've created!

1. I've never been told by any authority NOT to play. If I ever were, I'd take it seriously and stop.

2. It's a fun regular girls night out, and if you did a restaurant and a movie you'd spend WELL OVER $20, true?

3. I like to play where everyone leaves with an equally great gift. I've played in three different groups, one where you paid $15 and prizes ranged from really big to consolation prizes, one where you paid $10 and everyone got equally great gifts (winners just got to choose first) and one where we re-named it BAG-IT instead of BUNCO. Every player came with a $12 present in a bag and after the game the loser got to choose their favorite bag, all the way up to the winner getting to either steal any gift or open the last one remaining.

4. I think that the big gambling controversey was because people were playing for money. I don't recall any official word to stop playing, though I understand why people could think it was gambling if one winner were going home with upwards of $100!

I'll admit I was appalled when I was in a store once buying Bunco prizes and a fifty-something year old woman felt it was her place to tell me that Bunco was evil and that the Prophet himself had banned playing the game. I've never heard that doctrine and think people need to be careful how they share their opinion! Sheesh...

Have fun, it's really a good time and you can make it VERY appropriate, in my opinion!

I talk a lot.
January 6, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Stephanie said…
i'm on the "it's what you make of it" bandwagon. and p.s. i LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE your blog template.
January 6, 2010 at 7:47 PM
candimarie21 said…
Our Stake President came out and said no bunco groups, for 2 reasons. #1 the gambling issue and #2 girls in our stake were "husband bashing" and a few marriages from that group ended. I agree, it depends on who you play it with...not saying every bunco group will result in that. I haven't heard a general authority comment on it and I agree people do need to be careful when expressing their opinion. It has become a touchy subject the past few years.
January 6, 2010 at 8:01 PM
RaeLynn said…
Hmmm, lots of good input here. I like it...
January 6, 2010 at 10:19 PM
bevany said…
I like reading these comments too. Question...why have I read posts on google reader but then they're not here? You've got me very curious about what's going on with you...
January 6, 2010 at 10:37 PM
RaeLynn said…
Bev, that would be my fault. I posted something that for some reason Danny didn't want me to post...oops! heh. so I had to take it down and good old Google Reader is being really hyper about it.
January 7, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Momma Fish said…
Can I PLEASE guess who told you it was of the devil... maybe I shouldn't type it uncase she reads this, but I know who it is.

In my very strong opinion, it keeps women sane. It give stay at home moms something to look forward to other than the next poopie diaper they have to change.
January 7, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Jackie said…
www.ourlittlecorneroftheworld-jackie.blogspot.com

oh....and bunco is evil ;) (tee-hee)
January 7, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Lea-log family said…
I have heard of bunco, but never played it, so i guess i have no opinion either way, but since you seemed so excited to find out we have a blog before your unfortunate mishap, here is our blog address once again :)

lealog.blogspot.com
(jen and lehi)
January 8, 2010 at 1:21 PM
The Treasures said…
Funny thing about OUR bunco group, It was hosted at Sarah's parents house and her dad is the bishop of their ward. He teased us about gambling but it was all in good fun. I also agree that it keeps us sane. :) Or at least me. Well, for the most part. I can't really say that I am totally sane.
January 9, 2010 at 10:47 PM
karlin said…
Hey Rae- it's been a while but I just came across your Bunco post. I am in a monthly Bunco group and it's great. I honestly didn't know anything bad about it. A bunch of women from my neighborhood get together once a month- we put in a little money, have dinner and play for prizes! It's a blast. I look forward to it each month. Their are a couple of nonmembers in our group and it's great because our conversations always lead to church stuff... our callings, visiting teaching, etc. It's totally innocent and keeps me sane too.

btw- I've been thinking about you ever since AI started! I'm lovin it as usual. I'll start following your idol blog again. :)
January 20, 2010 at 10:36 PM
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