Aggravation is a marble race game for two to six players. Each player tries to move four marbles from a base, around the board and into a home row before anyone else, while knocking opponents back to start along the way. It belongs to the same family as Ludo and Trouble, and it is closely related to the older folk game often called Wahoo. If you prefer a version with cards instead of a die, see Joker Marbles.
Goal and equipment
The goal is to be the first player to get all four of your marbles from your base, around the board and into your home area.
A standard set includes a board with holes for the track, one die, and marbles in several colors (four for each player). Commercial versions have been published by different companies over the years, and wooden homemade boards are also common, so details can differ slightly.
Setup
- Each player picks a color and puts their four marbles in the matching base.
- All players roll the die once. The highest roller starts, and play moves clockwise. Re-roll ties.
The game supports two to six players. With four or six players, it can also be played in partnerships (see below).
Getting out of base
You can only move a marble onto the track by rolling a one or a six. The marble goes onto your starting space just outside your base. Rolling a six also earns you another roll, and you can keep rolling as long as you keep getting sixes.
If you roll something else and have no marbles on the track, your turn ends.
Moving and bumping
On your turn, roll the die and move one marble clockwise by the number shown. Key rules:
- You cannot land on or jump past one of your own marbles. If your roll would do that, you have to choose another legal move.
- If you land exactly on a space with an opponent’s marble, that marble is knocked back to its owner’s base. This bump is what gives the game its name.
- If you cannot make a legal move, your turn passes.
Rules about jumping over opponents’ marbles can differ between versions, and it is a common source of arguments. Most rule sets allow you to pass opponents; check your instruction sheet.
The center shortcut
Most boards have an extra hole in the middle. A marble can enter that hole only by rolling the exact number needed, for example by sitting on the appropriate corner point and rolling the right count. Once in the center, the marble can only leave by rolling a one, and it then exits toward the side of the board next to its home row. Some boards also provide a route around the star points near the center. These routes are risky and exact, but they can save many spaces, so they add real decisions to the game.
Some editions include a rule where rolling a particular number forces a marble to move backward, and a few simplify the shortcut. Rules are not identical everywhere, so confirm your edition’s version.
Getting home and winning
After circling the board, a marble turns into your home row. In many versions, you need exact rolls to settle each marble into the final holes, and marbles cannot pass each other in the home row. The first player with all four marbles in home wins. You can keep playing for second place if you like.
Partner play
With four or six players, you can play in teams, with partners sitting opposite one another. In a common partner rule, once a player has all four marbles home, they use their turns to move their partner’s marbles. A team wins when both partners are home.
Common variations
- Allowing only a six to start instead of a one or six
- Giving an extra turn for bumping an opponent
- Disallowing the center shortcut for beginners
- Playing that you may not bump your partner
Simple strategy
- Decide early whether to go for the shortcut. It is faster but exposes a marble to sudden delays.
- Do not line up directly in front of an opponent’s marble if you can avoid it.
- Keep marbles flexible; having more than one marble on the track gives you options for awkward rolls.
Frequently asked questions
How many dice do you use for Aggravation?
One standard six-sided die is the usual setup.
How do you play Aggravation compared with Sorry!?
Both are bump-and-race games, but Aggravation uses a die and marbles while Sorry! uses a deck of cards and pawns. For a card-driven marble game, see Joker Marbles.
What are the rules for the marble game?
If you mean marble race games, they share the pattern of getting out of base, racing around, bumping rivals and finishing. If you mean the traditional ring game, see our marbles rules guide.
How old is the game Aggravation?
The folk game it grows out of is much older than the commercial boxed versions, and the boxed game has been sold for several decades. Exact dates vary by publisher, so I will not give a precise year here.