Trouble (board game)
A board game using a Pop-O-Matic die container to move pieces.
Trouble is a race game where the first player to move all four of their pieces around the board wins. Despite some claims to the contrary, Frustration is not an older predecessor—it's simply the UK name for Trouble itself. Players advance their pieces by rolling a die inside a plastic dome known as a "Pop-O-Matic."
The Kohner Brothers created Trouble, and it was first produced by Irwin Toy Ltd., then later by Milton Bradley Company (now part of Hasbro). The game debuted in Canada in 1965 before being introduced to the U.S. market later. The classic version is now sold by Winning Moves Games USA. Its design and gameplay are borrowed from the British game Ludo, which itself comes from the Indian game pachisi. A similar Milton Bradley game called Headache uses conical pawns instead of cylindrical ones and has a different track. Another variant, Double Trouble, came out in 1987 and lets each player move two pieces using separate Pop-O-Matic dice rollers.
To start a piece moving from home to its start space, a player must roll a 6. Rolling a 6 also grants an extra turn—but only if the player can move a piece; if no piece can move, the turn simply ends. A player can bring a new piece out even if another piece is already in play, and can do so even if an opponent’s piece is on their start space—but not if one of their own pieces is there. Pieces travel clockwise around the board. Landing on an opponent’s piece sends it back to the start. Once a piece reaches the final four slots of the finish area, it is safe from capture. Unlike Parcheesi, pieces cannot be used to block opponents.
The Pop-O-Matic is a clear plastic bubble over a flexible sheet. Pressing down on the bubble makes the die tumble and produces a popping sound. This prevents the die from being lost and stops players from cheating. The die shows Arabic numerals, except in the Travel version, which uses circular pips and has a cover to keep pegs secure. If the die lands unclearly, the player may tap the bubble but cannot re-pop it.
- Developer
- Kohner Brothers
- Initial manufacturer
- Irwin Toy Ltd.
- Later manufacturer
- Milton Bradley Company (now part of Hasbro)
- Launch region
- Canada
- Launch year
- 1965
- Notable feature
- Pop-O-Matic die container
- Derivative of
- British board game Ludo, itself based on Indian board game pachisi
Quick Facts
- Subject Name
- Trouble
- Players
- 2–4
- Designer
- Frank Kohner · Paul Kohner · Fred Kroll
- Publisher
- Hasbro · Winning Moves Games USA
- Ages
- Family
- Setup Time
- <1 minute
- Playing Time
- 30 minutes
- Random Chance
- High (dice)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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 debuted in Canada in 1965 before being introduced to the U.S. market later. The classic version is marketed by Winning Moves Games USA. The gameplay, board, and concept is derivative of the British board game Ludo, itself based on the Indian board game pachisi. A similar game called 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. 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.
Reader's Guide
Trouble is significant as a mass-market board game that popularized the Pop-O-Matic die container, a device that prevents dice from being lost and reduces cheating. Its gameplay, while derivative of Ludo and pachisi, simplified the rules by removing blocking maneuvers found in more complex race games like Parcheesi. The game's legacy includes multiple variations such as Headache and Double Trouble, and it remains in print through Winning Moves Games USA. The Pop-O-Matic's popping sound and rapid turn-taking made it distinctive in family game rooms. The game's rules—requiring a 6 to enter a piece, allowing extra turns on a 6, and sending opponents' pieces back to start—are straightforward and accessible. Its continued availability and the existence of a travel version with a cover to prevent peg loss demonstrate its enduring appeal as a casual competitive game.
Did You Know?
- Trouble is known as Frustration in the UK and Kimble in Finland.
- The Pop-O-Matic die container produces a popping sound when used and prevents the die from being lost.
- A variation named Double Trouble was originally published by Milton Bradley in 1987, using separate Pop-o-Matic dice-roller devices.
- In standard Trouble rules, rolling a 6 grants an extra turn only if a piece can move; otherwise the turn ends.
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