Board games · family classic

Trouble

A die that pops under its bubble, pegs that fly — and that unique satisfaction of sending an opponent straight back to Start.

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Built-in die

No die rolling under the couch — it always stays put, right under its bubble.

Simple mechanics

Younger kids get the rules after one round, no constant supervision needed.

For 2 to 4 players

Quick enough to play several rounds in the same evening.

Who is it for?

For families with young kids who want a simple path game, without pieces that get lost easily.

What to know about the Trouble board game

The link leads to the Trouble board game by Hasbro Gaming (model A5064). Its signature is the Pop-O-Matic, a clear plastic bubble holding the die. Press it, the die pops, and it never gets lost. The game plays 2 to 4, ages 5 and up.

In the box: the gameboard, a plastic game unit with the Pop-O-Matic die roller, 16 pegs (4 per colour) and instructions. Each player races their 4 pegs around the board and into their Finish zone. Along with classic Trouble, Hasbro includes a more challenging way to play with Power Up spaces.

The basic Trouble rules: you need a 6 to move a peg out of Home onto your Start space, and a 6 also earns an extra turn. Land on a space an opponent occupies and you send them back Home. The first player to get all 4 pegs into Finish wins. Trouble is a cousin of Ludo (itself based on the Indian game pachisi) and was first made by Canada's Irwin Toy before moving to Milton Bradley, now part of Hasbro.

Strengths and limits

Strengths

The die stays in its bubble, so nothing rolls under the couch.
Kids love the "pop".
Rules click after a single game.
Everything is built into the board, so cleanup is easy.

Limits

Mostly luck, little strategy.
Getting sent back Home can frustrate younger kids.
Four players max.
Small pegs: not for kids under 3.

Before you buy

Make sure it's classic Hasbro Trouble, not a themed or Grab & Go travel edition.
Hasbro's recommended age is 5+.
Check the instruction language on the Amazon.ca listing if you need French.
Check today's price on Amazon.ca.

FAQ

Trouble rules: how do you get out of Start?

You need to pop a 6. Move one peg from Home onto your Start space, then take another turn. With a 6 you can also choose to move a peg that's already on the track instead.

How do you play Trouble?

Take turns pressing the Pop-O-Matic and moving one peg the number shown. A 6 brings a peg out and earns another turn. Land on an opponent and they go back Home. First to get all 4 pegs into Finish wins.

Trouble vs Sorry!: what's the difference?

Both are Hasbro race games for 2 to 4 players where you can bump opponents back to start. Trouble uses a die in the Pop-O-Matic bubble, while Sorry! uses a deck of cards instead of a die.