Over the years several different editions of Pop the Pig have been released. While the rules have mostly remained the same, there have been a couple changes between the 2007 and 2014 versions of the game. I have noted below where the rules between the versions differ.
Objective of Pop the Pig
Older Versions: The objective of Pop the Pig is to be the last remaining remaining after all of the other players have pop the pig’s belly.
Newer Versions: The objective of Pop the Pig is to be the player that makes the pig pop.
Setup
- Open up the hatch on the back of the pig and remove all of the hamburgers.
- Place the hamburgers on the table with their numbers face down.
- Reset the pig to prepare it for the first round. Older versions of the game require you to turn the tail to the left. Newer versions have you press down on the head one time to deflate the belly. Then press down on both of the pig’s hands until they lock into place, and lock the belt.
- The youngest player starts the game.
Playing Pop the Pig
To start your turn you will roll the die. What you roll on the die determines what you will do on your turn.
Rolling A Color
Should you roll a color on the die, you will choose one of the burgers from the table that match the color you rolled.
When you roll the four color symbol, you can pick a burger of any color.
Once you have picked a burger you will flip it over to see the number on the bottom. This number will range between one and four. The number indicates how many times you will have to press the top of the pig’s head.
Insert the burger into the pig’s mouth and push until it falls into the pig.
You will then press down on the head until it clicks. Repeat this a number of times equal to the number on the burger you selected.
Rolling An X
Should you roll the X symbol, you will skip the rest of your turn.
End of Turn
After handling what you rolled on the die your turn ends. Depending on whether the pig “popped” (see below), play passes to the next player to your right.
Popping the Pig
Eventually the pressure built up in the pig, due to pressing down on its head, will become too great. The pig’s arms will raise and the belt will pop open.
What happens when the pig pops depends on the version of the game you are playing.
In newer versions of the game, the game ends immediately. See the Winning Pop the Pig section for more details.
In older versions of the game, the last player to press down on the pig’s head is eliminated from the game. The game is then reset by following the setup instructions. The remaining players will play another round.
Winning Pop the Pig
In newer versions of the game, the player who makes the pig “pop” wins the game.
In older versions of the game (earlier than 2014), players will keep playing rounds until only one player remains in the game. The last remaining players wins the game.
Year: 2007 | Publisher: Goliath, Crown & Andrews Ltd, Drumond Park Ltd
Genres: Children’s
Ages: 4+ | Number of Players: 2-6 | Length of Game: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Light | Strategy: Light | Luck: High
Components: Chef Pig, 4 purple burgers, 4 red burgers, 4 yellow burgers, 4 green burgers, die, instructions
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