Trouble (board game)
Encyclopedia
Trouble is a board game
in which players compete to be the first to send four pieces all the way around a board. Pieces are moved according to the roll of a die
. Trouble was developed by the Kohner Brothers and initially manufactured by Irwin Toy Ltd., later by Milton Bradley
(now part of Hasbro
). The game was launched in the United States
in 1965.
The most notable feature of Trouble is the "Pop-O-Matic" die container. This device is a clear plastic hemisphere containing the die, placed over a flexible sheet. Players roll the die by pressing down quickly on the bubble, which flexes the sheet and causes the die to tumble upon its rebound. The Pop-O-Matic container produces a popping sound when it is used, and prevents the die from being lost (and players from cheating by improper rolling). It allows for quick die rolls, and players' turns can be performed in rapid succession. The die is imprinted with Arabic numerals rather than the traditional circular pips (though the circular pips are used in the Travel version, which contains a cover to keep the pegs from being lost).
Players may only move pieces out of their start when the die lands on "6." Getting a "6" at any point in the game also allows the player to take another turn, even if the player cannot move any of their pieces.
If the die in the "Pop-O-Matic" container has not clearly landed on a number, then the player who popped it can tap the "Pop-O-Matic", but may not re-pop while the die is in limbo. The player can flick the board, but should not flick so hard that the board is moved.
Chance plays a part in the way this game is won. Large numbers allow the player's piece to move further around the board, but small numbers can save the player from opponents.
Players may not jump over their own piece when at home.
Similar games entitled Headache
and Frustration were also produced by the Milton Bradley corporation, but never reached the same level of success as Trouble.
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
in which players compete to be the first to send four pieces all the way around a board. Pieces are moved according to the roll of a die
Dice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
. Trouble was developed by the Kohner Brothers and initially manufactured by Irwin Toy Ltd., later by Milton Bradley
Milton Bradley Company
The Milton Bradley Company is an American game company established by Milton Bradley in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1860. In 1920, it absorbed the game production of McLoughlin Brothers, formerly the largest game manufacturer in the United States, and in 1987, it purchased Selchow and Righter,...
(now part of Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
). The game was launched in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1965.
Game play
Players can send opponents' pieces back to the start by landing on them. Pieces are protected from capture after arriving in the final few slots. Unlike more complex race games, however, counters cannot be maneuvered to block opponents' moves.The most notable feature of Trouble is the "Pop-O-Matic" die container. This device is a clear plastic hemisphere containing the die, placed over a flexible sheet. Players roll the die by pressing down quickly on the bubble, which flexes the sheet and causes the die to tumble upon its rebound. The Pop-O-Matic container produces a popping sound when it is used, and prevents the die from being lost (and players from cheating by improper rolling). It allows for quick die rolls, and players' turns can be performed in rapid succession. The die is imprinted with Arabic numerals rather than the traditional circular pips (though the circular pips are used in the Travel version, which contains a cover to keep the pegs from being lost).
Players may only move pieces out of their start when the die lands on "6." Getting a "6" at any point in the game also allows the player to take another turn, even if the player cannot move any of their pieces.
If the die in the "Pop-O-Matic" container has not clearly landed on a number, then the player who popped it can tap the "Pop-O-Matic", but may not re-pop while the die is in limbo. The player can flick the board, but should not flick so hard that the board is moved.
Chance plays a part in the way this game is won. Large numbers allow the player's piece to move further around the board, but small numbers can save the player from opponents.
Players may not jump over their own piece when at home.
Similar games entitled Headache
Headache (board game)
Headache is a board game similar to Trouble in which the object is to land a playing piece on top of all opponents' pieces . The game is distinct from Trouble in that there is no finish the player must reach. Play moves in circles, until only one player has cones remaining on the board, being...
and Frustration were also produced by the Milton Bradley corporation, but never reached the same level of success as Trouble.