OBJECTIVE OF TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION): Move all 4 of your pegs past the FINISH line on the game board.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 4 players
MATERIALS OF TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION): 1 Trouble game board with POP-O-MATIC die roller, 1 die, 16 playing pegs (4 of each color)
TYPE OF GAME: Board game
AUDIENCE: 5+
OVERVIEW OF TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION)
You might already be familiar with this classic board game. Originally released in 1965, this board game has stood the test of time and is one of the best board games for kids aged 5 and up. This game is very easy to play and easy to set up. Plus, the fun POP-O-MATIC die roller in the middle of the game board introduces a whole new level of fun! Want to learn how to play this game with your kids? Here are the rules for the Trouble board game.
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SETUP FOR TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION)
Before you begin setting up for the Trouble board game, make sure the game board is properly assembled with the 4 rubber feet in the back of the board.
Now, to set up the board game, each player must select a peg color and take the 4 pegs of the chosen color. The pegs must go in the matching color HOME on the board.
Once all the pegs are set up, all players take turns rolling a number on the die by pressing on the POP-O-MATIC in the middle of the board. The player who rolls the highest number goes first and play continues clockwise, or to the left.
HOW TO PLAY TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION)
Here are the official game rules for the classic Trouble board game, also called Frustration or Kimble.
Keep these basic rules in mind:
- Players take turns popping the die.
- Players must pop a 6 to move one of their pegs into the START space to begin moving.
- Players take turns popping the die and moving their pegs around the board.
- Players must move all 4 of their pegs to the FINISH space.
ROLL A 6
Before you can begin moving your pegs, you have to get your pegs from HOME to the START line. Players will take turns popping the die in the middle of the board. If you roll a 6, you can move one of your pegs to the START spot on the board and roll again.
However, if you do not roll a 6, you must wait until it’s your turn again.
Anytime you want to move a peg out of HOME, you must roll a 6. But keep in mind that you cannot move a peg into START if there’s a peg already there. If there’s a peg in the START space and you roll a 6, you’ll have to move one of your pegs already in play (including the peg in START) 6 spaces.
MOVE YOUR PEGS
Your pegs move in a clockwise direction around the board. Once a peg is outside of HOME, you can move it the number of spaces you roll on the die. For example, if you roll a 4, you can move 4 spaces with your peg.
On the board, you’ll see 4 XX’s. These are “double trouble” spots that allow you to roll again if you land on them.
SEND YOUR OPPONENTS HOME
If your peg lands on a spot that is already occupied by one of the other players’ pegs, the opposing player’s peg goes back home! This same rule applies if an opposing player’s peg is in your START space when you roll a 6 and take a peg out of HOME.
GETTING TO THE FINISH LINE
All 4 pegs must go all around the board to get to the FINISH space. However, in order to get to the FINISH space, you must roll the exact number of spaces left to get to that spot! For example, if you have 3 spaces until you get to FINISH but roll a 4, you can’t move that peg. You could move another peg instead if you’re able to.
Once in that FINISH space, opponents cannot send those pegs back home.
VARIATIONS OF TROUBLE (FRUSTRATION) RULES
There are a few variations of Trouble game rules you should be familiar with. You can add these rules when playing if you want to spice things up a bit.
ROLLING A 1
Some players play Trouble with the rule that if you roll a 1, every other player may move a peg out of HOME to START except for the player that rolled it.
FINISH SPACE VARIATION
Too difficult to finish the game because you need to roll the exact number of spaces left to get your peg to the FINISH space? In that case, you could play with the Trouble game rule that you don’t have to enter the space by exact count. So, for example, if you have 4 spaces left, you can still get your peg to the FINISH space if you roll a 5 or 6.
EXTRA TURN
According to some house rules of the Trouble board game, if you send a player’s peg to HOME, you get to have another turn popping the die in the middle.
END OF GAME
The first player to get all 4 of their pegs to the FINISH space wins. Keep playing to see who comes second, third, and last.
OTHER TROUBLE BOARD GAME EDITIONS
There are a few different Trouble board game editions to choose from. These board games are the exact same game (or with slight rule variations from standard Trouble game rules) with a different theme.
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- Interactive Gameplay: Roll the die with the iconic Pop-O-Matic bubble and...
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- Grab & Go game is a compact mobile version of the Trouble game
- All-in-one gameboard makes storage easy
- Includes Pop-O-Matic die roller
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- Choose to play as Katya, Lobo, Frankie, or Zoe while moving around the...
- Press the Pop-O-Matic dice roller and imagine racing around Pitchfork Pines. The...
FAQ
Is the Trouble Board Game the Same as Frustration?
Yes! The Trouble board game is known by a couple of different names. Trouble is called Frustration in the UK and Kimble in Finland.
What Happens If You Roll a 1 in Trouble?
In the original game rules for Trouble, nothing special happens if you roll a 1. However, in some variations of the game, if you roll a 1, you do not get to move, but every other player may move one of their pegs out of HOME.
What Happens If You Land on Your Own Peg in Trouble?
If you roll a number that would end in your landing on one of your own pegs, you cannot move that peg. You also cannot jump over your own pegs.
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