bunko

Bunko, bunco, or bunko is a term used for several related but distinct concepts in English and Japanese contexts. The most widely known is a social dice game often played in groups of a dozen or more.

A typical bunko session is organized into tables; players sit in groups of four and take turns rolling three dice. Each round corresponds to a number from one to six; players score points for dice showing the round number, and a special outcome—often called a bunco—occurs when all three dice show the round number. The game emphasizes social interaction and friendly competition; prizes are usually awarded to table winners and sometimes to the overall tournament winner. Rules vary by locality, but common elements include rotating players between tables and a running points tally.

The term bunco is also used for a confidence game, a type of scam in which a small group persuades a target to invest in an apparently low-risk opportunity. The scammers use scripted conversations, misdirection, and social pressure to extract money, and the scheme is illegal in many jurisdictions.

In Japan, bunko (文庫) refers to a conventional size of paperback literature editions, widely used for popular novels and translations. Bunko editions are typically smaller than standard trade paperbacks and have played a major role in publishing and distributing affordable literature in the 20th century and beyond.