How to play Bouldertroll Boom Box

-          Each player chooses any four of their six cards (the remaining two are not needed), and lays them out in a line, face down.  This is the player’s Start Line.

-          Choose a starting player.  This can be the player who last saw the Moon.

-          Beginning with the starting player, players take turns with play passing to the left.  On each turn a player may do one or both of the two possible actions (in either order):

-          Pass a box: If a player has any boxes (cards) remaining in their Start Line, on their turn they MUST pass one box to the player on their left: this can be a box from their own Start Line, or another box previously placed in front of them by the player to their right. 

-          A player with no boxes remaining in their Start Line is not obliged to pass a box, but they may still pass a box if they have one which they want to pass on.

-          When a player passes on a box, they place it in front of the Start Line of the next player on their left, saying whether it contains a Boom or a gem – but they may bluff and not tell the truth!  However, among trolls it is considered good manners to say clearly what a box contains (even if it is a lie), rather than say ‘I can’t remember.’

-          Open a box:  On their turn, a player may open one box in front of them which is not in their Start Line (i.e. a card which has previously been passed to them).  Players may NOT open boxes in their own Start Line, nor any box in front of another player.  Flip the card to ‘open the box’ and reveal whether it contains a gem or a Boom.

-          When opening a box, the flipped card is placed on a stack on top of any cards previously flipped by that player.  Gems acquired (since any previous Boom) are counted to make a total number of gems - cards with two gems are worth 2.  Gems of different colours all have the same value.

-          However, any Boom revealed is placed on top of the stack, cancelling ALL previously acquired gems!  In the words of the trolls – ‘Ha ha Boom!’

-          A player with no gems who uncovers a Boom must lose a box (card) – this can be a card from their own Start Line, or another card previously passed to them.  The player whose Boom was revealed will choose which card they lose – it is removed from the game without revealing its contents. 

-          If a player with no gems and no boxes reveals a Boom, there is no penalty, but that player still gets a Boom in face, which amuses trolls!

-          No passing: So long as they have any boxes remaining in front of them, a player must do at least one action if they can.

-          A player with no box is still in play – they can receive boxes from other players.

-          Own box rule: If a player’s own box makes its way round the circle back to its original owner, that player MUST open this box on their next turn.  In the words of the trolls – ‘Hope it not Boom!’

-          Winner: The game ends when all boxes have been opened. The player with the most gems acquired (since any previous Booms) wins the game.

-          Tie-breaker: In the event of a tie, the player with the most opened boxes (revealed cards) is the wins.