Bingo Bango Bongo
Also called BBB, Bingle Bangle Bungle
Three points a hole: first on the green, closest to the pin, first in the hole.
2–6 players · best with 3–4Points GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreNo handicaps needed
How to play →Points Games · Betting Games · Solo & Practice
Chicago
Also called 39s, Thirty-Nines, Chicago Quota
Stableford-style points chased against a personal quota of 39 minus your handicap.
- Players
- Any number, solo too
- Play as
- Everyone for themselves
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps required
- Money
- Money optional
- Type
- Points Games
How to play
Each player's quota is 39 minus course handicap (1-handicap = 38, 10 = 29, 15 = 24; handicaps of 36+ get a 3-point quota). Equivalently, some groups start at negative points (scratch -39, 5-handicap -35, minimum -1) and try to climb into positive territory, called clearing your hurdle. Play gross scores and earn points on every hole. The winner is whoever finishes furthest above quota.
Scoring
Bogey 1, par 2, birdie 4, eagle 8, albatross 16; double bogey or worse 0. Result = points earned minus quota, highest wins. Pay a fixed amount per point of margin (e.g. $10 per point, win by 5 = $50) or an equal-ante pot, with 2nd and 3rd paid in larger groups.
Variations
- Team Chicago: combine quotas; some subtract any member still negative at the end
- Quota game using 36 instead of 39 (easier to reach)
- Per-point payouts vs winner-take-all pot
- Team Chicago: combine starting numbers
- Penalty if any teammate finishes negative
- Use it as a solo quota with 39 as the base
Tips
- Birdies are worth double a par, so attack scorable holes
- Insist on current, honest handicaps; sandbaggers dominate this game
- Track running points vs quota on the card
- Recalculate quotas when handicaps change
A 20-handicap and a scratch player compete on exactly equal terms.
Works with
Each link opens every game that works for that number of players.
Related games
Nines (5-3-1)
Also called Nine Point Game, 9s, Nine Points
Threesome game splitting 9 points a hole: 5 for low, 3 for middle, 1 for high.
3 players only · best with 3Points GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to score
How to play →Stableford
Also called Points Play, Stableford Points, Points
Score points per hole against net par; highest total wins.
Any number, solo tooPoints GamesEasy to score
How to play →Quota
Also called Points Game, Quota Points, Dogfight
Beat your personal point quota (36 minus handicap) by the widest margin.
Any number, solo tooPoints GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
How to play →Sources
Rules reflect the version most groups play, cross-checked across these sources. House rules vary; agree yours on the first tee.
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