Objective of Pass the Pigs
The objective of Pass the Pigs is to score the most points by rolling the pig dice.
Setup
- Place all of the components on the table where the players can reach them.
- Take a scorepad sheet and write each player’s name/initials at the top of one of the columns.
- Choose a player to be the “swineherd”. This player is in charge of keeping score throughout the game.
- The players decide who will start the game. Play moves clockwise throughout the game.
Playing Pass the Pigs
You will begin your turn by tossing both of the pig dice at the same time.
What you do next depends on how the two pigs land. See the Pass the Pigs Scoring Combinations section below for more details.
As long as you didn’t roll a “Pig Out” or an “Oinker”, you will have a decision to make.
You can choose to stop rolling the dice and end your turn. In this case you will score points equal to the value of all of the rolls you have made this turn. The swineherd records your score on the score sheet.
Otherwise you can choose to be a “Pig-head” and roll the dice again. You can keep rolling the dice as many times as you want. You want to avoid rolling a “Pig Out” or an “Oinker”. If you roll either of these combinations, your turn ends and you lose all of the points you earned this turn.
When your turn is over, you pass the pigs to the next player who takes their turn. The rules do not specify whether play moves clockwise or counterclockwise.
Pass the Pigs Scoring Combinations
Leaning Jowler
A Leaning Jowler happens when a pig lands where it jowl (side of face), ear and front foot are touching the table. The other pig lands on its side.
A Leaning Jowler is worth 15 points.
Double Leaning Jowler
To roll a Double Leaning Jowler both pigs need to land on their jowl, ear and front foot.
A Double Leaning Jowler is worth 60 points.
Mixed Combo
A mixed combo occurs when you roll one combination with one dice and another combination with the other dice.
You will add up the scores from each individual combination to get the score for a Mixed Combo.
Oinker
Whenever you roll the two dice and the two pigs touch, you rolled an Oinker.
When you roll an Oinker you lose all of the points you have earned so far in the game (this includes points from previous turns). Your turn ends so you will pass the pigs to the next player.
Pig Out
A Pig Out happens when both pigs land on different sides. To tell that the pigs are on different sides, the dot should be visible on one pig and not visible on the other.
When you roll a Pig Out, your turn ends immediately. You lose all of the points you have earned during your current turn.
Piggy Back
If you ever roll the two dice and one pig lands on the back of the other pig, you are eliminated from the game.
Razorback
Whenever a pig lands on its back (all four feet are in the air), you have rolled a Razorback. The other pig lands on its side.
A Razorback is worth 5 points.
Double Razorback
A Double Razorback is the same as a Razorback except that both dice land on their back.
A Double Razorback is worth 20 points.
Sider
You will roll a Sider whenever both pigs land on the same side. You can tell if the pigs are on the same side by seeing if the dot is face up or face down on both pig dice.
A Sider is worth 1 point.
Snouter
Whenever a pig lands on its snout and it’s two front feet, you have rolled a Snouter. The other pig dice landed on its side.
A Snouter is worth 10 points.
Double Snouter
A Double Snouter occurs when both dice land on their snout and their two front feet.
A Double Snouter is worth 40 points.
Trotter
A Trotter occurs whenever one of the pigs lands on all four of its feet. The other pig lands on its side.
A Trotter is worth 5 points.
Double Trotter
A Double Trotter is the same as a Trotter except that both pigs land on their feet.
A Double Trotter is worth 20 points.
Winning Pass the Pigs
The first player to score a total of 100 points wins Pass the Pigs.
Hog Calls in Pass the Pigs
Pass the Pigs has an advanced variant that the players could choose to use. Most of the rules stay the same as the main game.
When a player has scored 20 or more points on a turn, players can choose to Hog Call. Any player other than the current roller can choose to Hog Call. To make the Hog Call you must shout out “Sooee” before the dice are rolled. The first person to call out gets to be the Hog Caller for the roll.
Before the player rolls the dice, the Hog Caller predicts what combination they will roll. If you pick Mixed Combo, you need to pick the position of both dice. You cannot predict a Pig Out, Oinker, or Piggy Back. The player then rolls the dice.
If the Hog Caller correctly predicts the dice roll, they earn points equal to double the points that the roll normally earns. The roller also subtracts double the points from their total.
If the Hog Caller guesses incorrectly, they subtract points from their total equal to double the points the rolled combination normally scores. The roller ends up scoring twice the amount they normally would earn from the roll.
Players can never reduce their score below zero with a Hog Call.
Whenever a Hog Call is made, the current roller keeps control over the pig dice. They can keep rolling the dice or stop after the roll like in the normal game.
Pass the Pigs FAQ
If you have any questions about how to play Pass the Pigs, leave a comment below on this post. I will try to answer any questions asked as best and as quickly as possible.
Pass the Pigs Components
- 2 Pig Dice
- Score Pad
- Carrying Case
- Instructions
Year: 1977 | Publisher: David Moffat Enterprises, Milton Bradley, Winning Moves Games | Designer: David Moffat
Genres: Dice, Family, Press Your Luck
Ages: 7+ | Number of Players: 2+ | Length of Game: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Light | Strategy: Light | Luck: High
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