View source for Trouble (board game)

{{italic title}}
{{short description|Board game}}
{{Infobox game|
| name = 
| subject_name = ''Trouble''
| image_link = [[File:Trouble board game cover.jpg|200px]]
| players = 2–4
| designer = {{hlist|Frank Kohner|Paul Kohner|Fred Kroll}}
| publisher = {{hlist|[[Hasbro]]|Winning Moves Games USA}}
| date = {{start date and age|1965}}
| ages = Family
| setup_time = {{circa}} <1 minute
| playing_time = {{circa}} 30 minutes
| random_chance = High ([[dice]])
| skills = 
| footnotes = 
}}

'''''Trouble''''' (known as '''''Frustration''''' in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and ''[[Kimble (board game)|Kimble]]'' in [[Finland]]) is a [[board game]] in which players compete to be the first to send four pieces all the way around a board. It is based on a traditional game called "Frustration" played on a wooden board with indentations for marble playing pieces and rules similar to [[Parcheesi]]. Pieces are moved according to the roll of a [[dice|die]] using a contained device called a "Pop-O-Matic".

==History==
''Trouble'' was developed by the Kohner Brothers and initially manufactured by Irwin Toy Ltd., later by the [[Milton Bradley Company]] (now part of [[Hasbro]]). The game was launched in America in 1965.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prezi.com/wgld5qgclz1u/trouble-board-game/|title=Trouble Board Game|website=prezi.com}}</ref> The classic version is marketed by Winning Moves Games USA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://winning-moves.com/product/trouble.asp|title=Winning Moves Games: Trouble® Classic Edition|website=winning-moves.com|access-date=2020-08-01|archive-date=2020-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030132946/https://winning-moves.com/product/trouble.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> The gameplay, board, and concept is derivative of the British board game ''[[Ludo]]'', itself based on the Indian board game ''[[pachisi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyningstan.com/game/956/ludo|title=Ludo &#124; Cyningstan|website=cyningstan.com|access-date=2021-01-30|archive-date=2021-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204003403/http://www.cyningstan.com/game/956/ludo|url-status=live}}</ref>

A similar game called ''[[Headache (game)|Headache]]'' was also produced by Milton Bradley; besides a different track layout, its pawns are conical in contrast to the cylindrical pieces used in ''Trouble''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9921/headache|title=Headache|website=BoardGameGeek|access-date=2020-08-01|archive-date=2020-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008185203/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9921/headache|url-status=live}}</ref> A variation named ''Double Trouble'' was originally published by Milton Bradley in 1987. Each player moves two pieces along a path, using separate Pop-o-Matic dice-roller devices. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9454/double-trouble|title=Double Trouble|website=BoardGameGeek}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Trouble board.svg|thumb|left|Game board schematic for ''Trouble''; home areas are outside the track, starting spaces indicated by double circle, and finish areas are on the radial spokes]]
Players may move pieces out of their home onto their designated start space 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 also may move a new piece out even if they have another piece in play, and can also do the same if another player's piece is occupying their "start" space, but can not do so when one of their own pieces is occupying their "start" space.

Pieces move clockwise around the board. Players send opponents' pieces back to the start by landing on them. Pieces are protected from capture after arriving in the final four slots of the finish area. Unlike more complex [[race game]]s such as Parcheesi, counters cannot be maneuvered to block opponents' moves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultraboardgames.com/trouble/game-rules.php|title=How to play Trouble &#124; Official Rules &#124; UltraBoardGames|website=ultraboardgames.com}}</ref>

===Pop-o-Matic die container===
The most notable feature of ''Trouble'' is the "Pop-O-Matic" die container. The 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 [[wikt:pop|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, although the circular pips are used in the Travel version, which contains a cover to keep the pegs from being lost.

[[File:Pop-o-matic video.ogv|thumb|Demonstration of the Pop-O-Matic bubble from ''[[Headache (board game)|Headache]]''|330x330px]]
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.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2024-04-03|En-Trouble-(board_game)-article.ogg}}
* {{bgg|1410|''Trouble''|9454|''Double Trouble''}}

{{Hasbro}}

[[Category:Board games introduced in 1965]]
[[Category:Cross and circle games]]
[[Category:Children's board games]]
[[Category:Roll-and-move board games]]
[[Category:Milton Bradley Company games]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]