Sometimes, it is those simple board games that we had played as kids that turn out to be the most fun. And Trouble is one game that brings back an old-school vibe. At first glance, the gameplay appears to be simple. Plus, 2 or 4 players can play this game, making it perfect for Friday night with your homies.
The most interesting aspect of the game of Trouble is the special board first launched by Hasbro, including this Pop-o-Matic dice roller located in the middle of the game. The game’s popping center on the board regulates the manner in which the players roll the dice to ensure that the gameplay is entirely random.
But then, how do you actually play that quick game? Yes, the concept is fairly easy to understand, learn, and play. In case you want to get familiar with Trouble rules, or you just want to know more about this board game before you purchase it, stay tuned!
Trouble Game Rules: Setup And Components
Hasbro’s Trouble board game features the popular “POP-O-MATIC” die roller on one game board made from plastic. And this, guys, is the most exciting part of this game.
Apart from this component made from plastic, you will get sixteen playing pegs available in four different colors and typically some game board feet made from rubber to maintain the board’s stability when you play the game.
Objective Of The Game:
The purpose of playing Trouble is to become the very first player to ensure that all 4 of their pegs are able to reach the Finish zone. In this case, please note that the rules of this game have undergone multiple changes over the years. So, keeping in mind that the rules have undergone changes, enjoy a few rounds of this fun game.
Setup For The Game:
Check out the setup for the game mentioned below in detail:
- Every player selects a color, placing their pieces in their own home spaces. Now, if only two players are playing, then each of the players could also decide on two different colors in the beginning.
- In the game’s new versions, the youngest players begin the game. Moreover, in the game’s older version, all players pop the dice. Also, the player who actually pops the biggest number begins the game. As a result, the gameplay typically passes in a clockwise direction – and that is true for every version of the game.
The Objective:
The game’s objective is to primarily be the very first player to move all your pegs right across the board to the ‘finish line.’
While you are playing the game, you can also try sending your opponents back home on the board. That way, your opponents will have to begin their journey on the Trouble game board from scratch.
Starting The Game:
To begin your journey on the Trouble game board, you need to become familiar with the Trouble rule. Each of the players will have to select a color, placing the four different pegs in the corresponding colors into the board’s Home section.
In case only 2 players are playing the game, then you can easily decide on play the game with two different sets of colored pegs to spice up the challenge.
To find out who really gets to begin the game, every player will be able to roll the dice by simply tapping the POP-O-MATIC dome (made from plastic) one time before letting go. Then this exclusive plastic bubble will do the rolling for you and the player with the biggest number will go first, with gameplay continuing from the player on your left.
Playing The Game:
When people roll a dice to find out who will play first, the gameplay starts with a single pop of the plastic bubble, followed by a move in case the dice allows it. You can roll a 6 to move one of your pegs to the board’s ‘start’ section from the ‘Home’ section on your first turn.
You will get the space to pop the bubble in the board’s center once. In case you are not able to obtain a six, you will have to wait for your turn to begin again. Once you are able to roll a 6, the fun starts, and you can easily move your pegs into the board’s ‘start’ section.
Remember, you will get an additional turn for free if you are able to pop a six as well so that you can roll again and move your pegs on the board. The players of this game are required to move their colored pegs around the board in a clockwise direction, counting each of the spaces, whether it’s filled by another peg or free.
As per Troubles rules, every time any player pops a six with the help of the POP-O-MATIC dice system, they end up making a decision. You can easily move a peg that is already on track, or you can choose to move any of your new pegs into the ‘start’ position to help your team reach the ‘finish’ line fast.
While having multiple pegs on the board’s track can enhance your success, it can also increase the possibility for another player to land on any of your pegs.
Here’s Some More Information:
When any player makes a landing on the peg of an opponent along with their specific roles, that particular peg has to move back to the ‘Home’ section. The player in question has to come with a 6 to get their pegs out again.
The purpose here is to send most people’s pegs back to the ‘Home’ section while working on getting all your pegs to the finish line.
If any other player’s colored pegs end up in the ‘start’ space designated for you when you roll a 6, wanting to move any colored peg out of the board’s ‘Home’ section.
This does count as landing on the peg of another player. This means that the colored peg in your board’s ‘Start’ section will be sent back to the home of the other plate, and they will have to be sent back to the home of the other player they will have to toll a 6 to obtain it again.
If any of your pegs are in the board’s ‘Start’ section when you come up with a 6, you will not be able to obtain a new peg until you move another peg.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Check out the most frequently asked questions about Trouble:
Ans: While both Sorry and Trouble have similar objectives, the game of Trouble solely depends on chance. In fact, here the objective of the gameplay is to pop or roll the dice in order to become the first one to move all their 4 pawns around the game board.
Ans: To be honest, the concept, the gaming board, and the gameplay of both Ludo and Trouble have multiple similarities. Moreover, Ludo is a British board game – it is based on and derived from the ancient Indian board game, Pachisi. Then, the Milton Bradley Company has also come up with Headache, a similar board game. Apart from an entirely different track layout, the pawns here are conical, a contrast to the cylindrical pawns used in a round of Trouble.
Ans: Trouble is a simplified version of Pachisi, an ancient Indian board home where only a single dice is rolled at every turn. So, Trouble is an abstract game of sorts, with each player having their own set of pawns depending on color. Then, in each turn, every player simply rolls a dice with the help of Pop-O-Matic, selecting each of their pawns to move around the board.
Ans: On a player’s first turn, they have to roll a six to be able to move one of their pawns out of the HOME area and onto the START area on the playing track of the gaming board. Here, please note that every player can roll the dice only once. So, if any player fails to get a six in their first turn then they won’t be able to move any of their pawns, waiting until their next turn.
Winning The Game:
As per Trouble rules, if you feel like winning the game, then you need to be the first person in your category to move your pegs into the ‘end line.’ You will have to figure out how to roll the actual number of spaces that are needed for moving your pieces into the ‘finish’ spot that is empty.
If you end up rolling a high number, then you won’t be able to move your peg, and your turn will be over. Pegs in this section are safe from the pegs of other plates because they cannot move into the finish line of their opponents.
You will require all four pegs in your selected shade to be lined up in this section to win the game. After that, others can continue to play and figure out who comes third or second.
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Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.
