''Trouble'' (known as ''Frustration'' in the UK and '' Kimble'' in Finland) is a

board game Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well. Many board games feature a com ...

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 Die, as a verb, refers to death, the cessation of life. Die may also refer to: Games * Die, singular of dice, small throwable objects used for producing random numbers Manufacturing * Die (integrated circuit), a rectangular piece of a semicondu ...

using a contained device called a "Pop-O-Matic". ''Trouble'' was developed by the Kohner Brothers and initially manufactured by Irwin Toy Ltd., later by Milton Bradley (now part of

Hasbro Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of K ...

). The game was launched in America in 1965. The classic version is now marketed by Winning Moves Games USA. The gameplay, board, and concept is derivative of the Indian board game Ludo. A similar game called '' Headache'' was also produced by the Milton Bradley Company; besides a different track layout, its pawns are conical, in contrast to the cylindrical pieces used in ''Trouble''.

Gameplay

Players can send opponents' pieces back to the start by landing on them. Teaming is not allowed in the game. Pieces are protected from capture after arriving in the final four slots. Unlike more complex

race game Race game is a large category of board games, in which the object is to be the first to move all one's pieces to the end of a track. This is both the earliest type of board game known, with implements and representations dating back to at least t ...

s such as Parcheesi, 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

cheat Cheating generally describes various actions designed to subvert rules in order to obtain unfair advantages. This includes acts of bribery, cronyism and nepotism in any situation where individuals are given preference using inappropriate crit ...

ing by improper rolling). It allows for quick die rolls, and players' turns can be performed in rapid succession. The die is imprinted with

Arabic numeral Arabic numerals are the ten numerical digits: , , , , , , , , and . They are the most commonly used symbols to write decimal numbers. They are also used for writing numbers in other systems such as octal, and for writing identifiers such as ...

s 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 move pieces out of their start only 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 (as they cannot land on any of their own pieces). They can also move a new piece out even if they have another piece currently in play, and can also do the same if another player's piece is occupying their "start" space, but cannot do so when one of their own pieces is occupying their "start" space. 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.

Editions

Double Trouble (1987) was originally published by Milton Bradley. It is currently being produced in the USA by Winning Moves Games USA. Each player moves two pieces along a path, using separate Pop-o-Matic dice-roller devices.

References

External links

* {{Hasbro Board games introduced in 1965 Cross and circle games Children's board games Roll-and-move board games Milton Bradley Company games Articles containing video clips