Playing cards or board games with friends or at family get-togethers can be real fun. One such game that combines the best of both card and board games is Pegs and Jokers. This Plentifun post lists out the rules to play Pegs and Jokers for those who may be unfamiliar with this entertaining board game.
The game is known by different names around the world. ‘Jokers and Pegs,’ ‘Joker Board Game,’ ‘Pegs Board Game,’ etc. It is also called ‘Marbles and Jokers’ when marbles are used instead of pegs.
Whatever the name, this game offers the best of playing cards and board games. Now, no one will be grumpy for choosing one game over the other as you and your family sit together to have some memorable fun time. For those who are not familiar with this game, let us take a look at the rules along with some strategies that will help you excel at the game.
Game Objective
Move your pegs around the board to reach home first.
What You Need
► Even number of players
► Pegs and Jokers game board
► Pegs
► Playing cards including jokers
Game Board
► The game board of Pegs and Jokers is available in all major toy stores. However, it can also be made at home if you know the game board pattern.
► The game board can be a square, hexagon, or octagon, depending on the number of players.
► Each side of the board will have 18 equally spaced holes along the edge of the board.
► On each side, 5 holes will be present a cross shape, above the line of 18 holes. This will be the starting position of the pegs.
► Besides the cross, there will be 5 holes making an ‘L’ shape. It will be the home or finishing line of the pegs.
► Both cross and L-shaped holes will be marked with the same color as the pegs that will be placed there.
Setup
1. Decide the number of player that will play the game.
2. Choose the size of the game board accordingly.
3. Place the board on a flat surface like a tabletop, and sit around the table.
4. Each player will get 5 pegs of one color.
5. Players sitting opposite to each other will be in one team.
6. Choose a dealer who will deal 5 cards to each player.
7. Place the remaining cards in the middle so that each player can pick one easily.
Instructions
1. The player sitting on the left side of the dealer will start the game. He will pick a card from the stack and play one from his hand.
2. The card that he has played will determine how many spaces his first peg will move.
3. The player on his left will take the next turn. He will draw a card from the stack, and play a card from his hand too.
4. When all the cards from the stack are played up, used cards will be shuffled and put in a stack to be used for the game.
5. Continuing like this, all players try to move all their pegs out of their starting positions.
6. With the played cards determining the peg moves, all the players will try to get all their pegs in their homes, i.e., their finishing positions.
7. If a player is successful in getting all his pegs in their home positions, he will help his partner by playing his cards.
8. A team who gets all their pegs (5+5=10) in their respective homes first wins the game.
Cards
All the cards have some value attached to them that help determine the peg moves. Here are their values:
Aces
This card helps you get a peg out of its starting position. Also, it can help a peg move one space ahead on the board.
Kings, Queens, and Jacks
These face cards also can get a peg out of its starting position. These cards can also move a peg ten spaces forwards.
Tens and Nines
These number cards move pegs according to their number.
Eights
On playing this card, a peg has to move eight spaces backwards.
Sevens
With this card, a peg can move seven spaces forwards; however, if a player chooses, those number of spaces can split by moving two pegs in place of one (6-1, 5-2, and 4-3). With this card, a player can move two pegs simultaneously.
Sixes to Twos
These number cards should be taken at the face value and move the pegs accordingly.
Jokers
The joker should be used to displace your opponent’s peg with your peg anywhere on the board. Your opponent’s peg will go back to its starting point. On the other hand, if that peg is of your partner, it will be bumped up to the entrance of its own home. It can also be used to move pegs one space forward.
Important Rules
► The pegs must move clockwise on the board.
► Players must draw a card from the stack each time it is his turn. If a player forgets to pick up a card, he must pick up two in his next turn.
► A player can forfeit his turn if he does not have a suitable card.
► A player cannot pass his own peg except with a joker or eight card. He can pass other pegs, but not his own.
► Pegs can not pass their own home entrances.
► For the last peg, card seven should be played with its full value. It cannot be split.
► When a peg is at home, it cannot come out again.
► To go home, the exact card number as the remaining spaces is needed. If you have more than the needed, that peg has to move forward and complete another round on the board. You can save another round by playing an eight card.
Strategy
► Landing on another peg and moving it to either home or starting point can be used offensively or defensively. You can use it to help your partner, or it can be used to keep your opponent from achieving his goal.
► The seven and eight cards can be used strategically to reach a particular space. For example, if your peg is just a few spaces from its home, you can either split a seven card to match the spaces or use an eight card to go back to add more spaces between the peg and entrance.
The Pegs and Jokers board game helps us combine different aspects of card and board games together into something that is truly fun. Enjoy the game with your family and friends!