Rules to Play the Trouble Board Game

‘Trouble’ is a very interesting ludo-like game which is perfect to play with family and friends. Take a look at the instructions to play this fun board game.

Try HEADACHE or FRUSTRATION
Inspired by the concept of Trouble, developed originally by the Kohner Brothers, Milton Bradley Co. created two new games called ‘Headache’ and ‘Frustration’. Both these game make great substitutes to Trouble, and can be bought in case Trouble’s out of stock.

The game can be played by a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 4 players, and is suitable for children above the age of 5. It consists of the Trouble game board, 16 playing pegs categorized into 4 colors, a plastic game unit with the Pop-O-Matic die roller, and 4 rubber feet.

The board needs to be assembled before beginning play. To assemble, turn the plastic unit upside down, then turn the game board upside down and place it exactly over the plastic unit. Insert the four rubber feet in the slots provided at the base. These would help keep the board steady during play. That’s it, all set to play! Now for the Trouble board game rules.

(Note that the assembly instructions given above would work only in case of the original Hasbro product.)

How to Play the Trouble Board Game

Each player begins by choosing a color (red, blue, green, yellow), and setting respective colored pegs in the matching HOME slots.

To decide the first player, all the players press the Pop-O-Matic sphere once. (When using the Pop-O-Matic, press it once, and the die would roll following a ‘pop’ sound). The player who pops the highest number, starts.

On every turn, a player must pop and then move accordingly. In case a player pops a 6, he gets a bonus pop and move.

Each player requires to score a 6 on the die to move the first peg into the playing track. If the first player fails to pop a 6, he cannot move, and has to wait for another try on his next turn.

Once a player pops a 6, he/she moves one peg from HOME to START, and pops one more time. The player then moves his/her peg in a clockwise direction to the number of spaces shown on the die.

The game continues in this manner, with players popping and moving until a player lands on one of the opponent’s pegs. In such a case, the opponent’s peg would return to his/her respective HOME space. This rule only applies if you directly land on a space already occupied by an opponent, and not when the opponent’s peg is in between your path to a farther space. (For instance, if you score a 3 on the die, and the opponent’s peg is exactly on the third space from your position; in this case the opponent would move his/her peg back to HOME. In case you get a 4, and the opponent’s peg is 3 spaces from your position; in this case, you leap over the opponent’s peg and land on the 4th space, without the opponent returning to HOME).

Popping a 6 anytime amidst the game would enable the player to either move a new peg from HOME to START, or move the peg already in play, and pop again.

In case you pop a 6 and want to move a new peg out, but your START space is occupied by another player’s peg, the opponent’s peg would return to his/her respective HOME space, and you can occupy your START space with a new peg in play. If you have your own peg occupying your START, you cannot move a new peg in case you pop a 6. Also, you cannot land on your own peg. You will have to move another peg in such a case.

After taking one clockwise round around the board, a peg has to enter its respective FINISH line. A peg can only take a single round around the board.

A player needs to pop the exact number required to enter the respective slots on the FINISH line. (For instance, if the player has 2 pegs in the first two slots of the line, he/she has to either pop a 3 or a 4 to finish with the peg in play).

The player who moves all of his/her pegs into the FINISH first, wins.

Now that you are clear with all the Trouble board game rules and regulations, enjoy this fun board game with your loved ones on a relaxing day at home.