Pass the Pigs

Go hog wild with the pig-tastic game, Pass the Pigs. Players attempt to rack up points by rolling the pig dice - but if they're not careful they might 'Pig Out' and lose all their points. Pass the Pigs is the sizzlin' fun, shakin' bacon game!

Editorial Review
How's your tolerance for puns? You'll need some for Pass the Pigs, a simple game of chance built around a pig theme. Instead of dice, you roll two cute pink piglets, and you gain or lose points depending on how the critters land. For example, if both land on all fours, called a "double trotter," you get 20 points; if they land lying opposite each other, called a "Pig Out," you gain no points and cede your turn. There are a number of other rules as well as a variation called "Hog Call." This would be a good travel game (the pigs, instructions, and scoring pad fit in a small, tidy box) or a fine present for someone who's, well, into pigs! --Elisa Murray

I don't really follow the rules that came with it, only the values of how the pigs land. I have used it often in an afterschool tutoring program were we often practice math facts and addition. I took the instruction sheet from the game, found the place where they have the pigs drawn and what the rolls are worth, enlarged it on the copier so all the kids (usually less than 6) can see it at the same time (and of course, colored the pig drawings pink!) Then each student rolls, finds what his roll is worth, and adds his score. The first to pass 100 points wins. We sometimes start with 100 and subtract our score -- the first to zero (or less) wins. We have played where I announce at the beginning of the round that "This roll will be multiplied by 7"..the kids all cheer "Come on doule razorback!" I was amazed how fast they learned what each roll was worth. I would have liked to try something with fractions, but my study group wasn't ready for that. (For example, you could make each roll worth a certain fraction and they would have to add them up at the end of the game.)

We have also used it to study for tests. I ask them a question and if they get it right, they get to roll. I am sure you could adapt it to lots of subjects. It is just a fun way to do rote things with a little more fun.

I have also used it with younger kids who cannot add yet. I drew them a 100 square (a little block about 3"x3" divided into 10x10 grid) and made a bunch of copies. Then they roll, find their score on the scoresheet, then color in that many squares with a marker. Nice counting practice, and visual of how much different coloring in 20 is from coloring in only 5. I sometimes ask them "Look at your paper and at Joe's. Who has more squares colored in? How many do you need to catch up?"

I really don't see any problem with the competing, and I sort of like the added benefit of learning HOW TO LOSE (which few seem to know) and other sportsmanship behaviors.

The only problem I have seen with the game is that the little black dot (on one side of the pig) wears off and I have to keep drawing it on with a sharpie. Also, after about a year, their little piggy tails are hardly hanging on. I need a new set.

GET THE GAME....have fun, change the rules, make up new ones...the pigs are the motivation...you decide what you want them to learn from it. OR learn nothing and just play. You'll like it.


wonderful for all ages   February 22, 2002
Susan Deborah Smith (Los Angeles, CA USA)
69 out of 75 found this review helpful

Pass the Pigs is a variation on Yahtzee, with the fun little pig dice being thrown into different combinations with various point values.

It's a great game to take on trips, or to pull out when entertaining children of various ages; everyone can enjoy it. I've played with children as young as 4 and had a fine time.

Although the rules of the game rely on the player taking a turn until he or she determines that luck is about to run out (at the risk of losing all accumulated points), this can easily be modified (esp. for younger children) so that each player throws the dice in turn and records points.

The educational value is in using mathematical skills, and pattern recognition skills, for younger players.

This game is very durable, but it would be a sad day indeed if the little pigs were ever lost. Luckily, all the parts (pigs, score pad, pencil) fit into a neat little case.


Pigs on the Run, See How They Run...   July 28, 2006
M. Allen Greenbaum (California)
28 out of 29 found this review helpful

For under $10, those who have never seen this game before will get their money's worth just by looking at the package. Little pink pigs that you toss in the air! A sleek 1950's-style metal container, as if you're going compete with the Russians in pig launching. A bonus card game named "Snout." Get out your transistor radios and Etch-A-Sketches and have a retro party (hold the ham)!

THe concept is simple and brilliant. THe pigs are your dice, and you get points for the positions in which they land. Each of these positions has a name (e.g. Snouters, Trotters), and the more improbable, the more points (although I'm not sure that this has been physicist-tested). Yes, it's great for toddlers and kids, but it has that great goofy quality that nonconformist teenagers and young-at-heart adults will love. Not sure of hte all-important zany/stable balance of your new sig. other--get out the Pig game!

While the game can get old after awhile, what game doesn't. It can be put away and brought out whenever a suitable occasion arises. For kids, you might want to pair the porcine ones with one of the books in a Amazon.com listmania list that I compiled: "Piggy Lit. 101." Like the "Hungry Hippo" game, I suspect that "Pass the Pigs" appeals to some deep-seated animal instinct, long repressed. Get this game, have fun with it, laugh at it and with it, and release your inner pig!


Tossing pork never gets old!   November 15, 2001
Blah (New York, New York)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

If you always lose games or just love to play games this is the game for you. There is absolutely no skill involved in this game so if you always lose you have to win this game eventually. Amazingly this game never gets old. I use to play this game with my grandma when I was 5. I'm 22 now and I still love it. There is nothing more exciting about getting a double hoofer or a double razorback. Another great thing about this game is that everyone is really relaxed and it never ends up in an ugly fight. I am super competitive and always end up in fights. I have never had this game end up in a fight (Ok there was that one time when my brother caught me cheating at least that's what he called it, I called it strategic placement of my pigs.) A must own for everyone.


Love this game!   January 11, 2007
Wendy Dethloff (Belton, MO)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

This a great game for 2 or more players. The most fun you'll ever have with pigs.