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Pop the Pig Board Game: Rules and Instructions for How to Play

Pop the Pig Board Game: Rules and Instructions for How to Play

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.
Setup for Pop the Pig

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.

Rolling A Color
This player rolled the red side of the die. They will have to choose a red burger this turn.

When you roll the four color symbol, you can pick a burger of any color.

Four Color Side of Die
This player has rolled the four color side of the die. They will get to choose what color burger they want this turn.

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.

Burger Number in Pop the Pig
This player picked a red burger since they rolled red on the die. The burger they picked has a two on the bottom. They will have to press down on the pig’s head twice.

Insert the burger into the pig’s mouth and push until it falls into the pig.

Feeding the Pig
After seeing the number on the bottom of the burger, you will put it in the pig’s mouth. You will push the burger 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.

Pressing Down on the Pig's Head
As this player picked a burger with a two on it, they will press down on the top of the pig’s head twice.

Rolling An X

Should you roll the X symbol, you will skip the rest of your turn.

Skip Turn Symbol
This player rolled the skip side of the die. They will skip their current 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.

Popped Pig
The pig has popped.

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.

Components for Pop the Pig

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

Where to Purchase: Amazon, eBay Any purchases made through these links (including other products) help keep Geeky Hobbies running. Thank you for your support.


For more board and card game how to plays/rules and reviews, check out our complete alphabetical list of board game posts.