How to play Jumanji Official Rules

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Welcome to the World of Jumanji!

The Thrills and Mysteries of Jumanji Await

Hey there! Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure? Join me as we explore the exciting and unpredictable world of Jumanji! Today, I’m going to walk you through the rules of the game. So strap on your boots, because we’re about to dive in!

Let’s Get Started

Alright, here’s the scoop. Jumanji is no ordinary board game – it’s a magical portal that transports you into a wild and untamed jungle. When you roll the dice and make your move, anything can happen. From stampeding rhinos to mischievous monkeys, the dangers and wonders of Jumanji are endless.

Now, let’s talk about the rules. First, you need to gather a group of brave companions who are ready to face the unknown. Jumanji is a game best played together, so grab your friends and get ready for an adventure like no other!

Each player will choose a character and place their token on the starting space. This will be your avatar throughout the game, so choose wisely. Every character has their own unique abilities and strengths, so find the one that suits you best.

Roll the Dice and Embrace the Unknown

Are you ready to take your first steps into the jungle? Roll the dice and let fate guide your path. Move your token along the board and watch as Jumanji comes to life before your very eyes. But be careful – danger lurks around every corner.

The game cards hold the key to your fate. Each space you land on will trigger a card that presents a new challenge or adventure. These cards could be your ticket to victory or your downfall, so be prepared for anything.

Work Together to Win

In Jumanji, unity is power. To overcome the obstacles that lie in your path, you’ll need to work as a team. Communicate with your fellow players, strategize, and use your unique abilities to aid one another. Remember, no one can tackle Jumanji alone.

The Ultimate Goal

So, what’s the ultimate goal of Jumanji? It’s simple – survive and make it to the center of the board. The heart of Jumanji holds the power to send you back to the real world. But getting there won’t be easy. You’ll face challenges, puzzles, and tests of courage along the way.

The game of Jumanji is full of surprises, so keep your wits about you and embrace the thrill of the unknown. Are you ready to roll the dice and enter a world like no other? Gather your friends, choose your characters, and let the adventure begin!

In Jumanji, you’ll find everything you need to start playing:

  • A gameboard
  • 4 pawns
  • A rhino figure
  • A timer
  • A number die
  • 4 Rescue dice
  • 30 Danger cards
  • A decoder
  • A labelsheet
  • Instructions

Let’s Begin!

Your goal is simple: be the first to reach the center of the gameboard and shout out “Jumanji!”

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Figure 1

Setting Up the Game

To get started, follow these steps:

  • Shuffle the danger cards and place them face down in a draw pile on the “DRAW” space of the gameboard.
  • Each player chooses a pawn and places it on the matching color “START” space. Any pawns not chosen are set aside.
  • Place the rhino figure on its home base, as shown in Figure 1.
  • Each player selects one Rescue die. Any additional Rescue dice are set aside.

Playing the Game

So, you want to play a game? Great! Let’s get started. First things first, the person who suggested playing the game gets to go first. They will be the one in charge of the timer and the number die. Simple, right?

Alright, now it’s time to roll the number die. Roll it and then move your pawn along your color path towards the center of the gameboard. Move the number of spaces that you rolled on the die. Remember, only follow the directions on the spaces when it’s your turn. Once you’ve finished your turn, pass the timer and number die to the player on your left.

What to do on the Spaces

There are different kinds of spaces on the gameboard. Each one has its own special instructions. Here’s what you should do when your pawn ends its move on one of these spaces:

BLANK Spaces. Uh-oh, you’re in the jungle and there are dangers lurking around. But don’t worry, your fellow players can come to your rescue. All they need to do is roll either the hourglass or the symbol that matches the danger card. Here’s how it works:

    I have an important task for you. Can you rewrite this text for me, please?

    • Flip a danger card from the drawpile and place it faceup under the decoder. This will reveal a secret symbol and number. Here are the symbols you might see: rope, saber, die, axe, racquet, open door, and raft. Each symbol is shown on the Rescue dice. Your fellow players will have to roll the symbol that matches your card to try and save you, using their Rescue dice.
    • When it’s your turn, you will be the official timekeeper. As you start the timer, shout “Ready! Set! Go!”
    • Your fellow players will have to roll either the matching symbol or the hourglass before time runs out. You don’t have to roll. Remember, the hourglass is special – it matches any card symbol.

    Rolling Against Time

    When it’s my turn, I face a nerve-wracking challenge: rescuing a player. The fate of our game depends on it. As I prepare to roll my Rescue dice, the rest of my team gets ready to roll theirs. We all roll at the same time, hoping to find a matching symbol or a lucky hourglass.

    But there’s no time to waste! We only have about 8 seconds to make our move. The countdown begins, and I can feel the pressure building. Will I find a match in time? Will we be able to save our teammate?

    The timekeeper is there to keep us on track. They announce when time runs out, and we anxiously wait for the verdict. Did we succeed? Did we fail? The outcome rests in the hands of fate and our quick thinking.

    How to Survive the Doomsday Grid

    • You’re in luck if everyone rolls either the matching symbol or the hourglass. You get to stay on your space while your fellow players move their pawns ahead the number of spaces shown on the card. Don’t worry about following space directions. Afterward, place the card faceup on the discard pile, and your turn is done.
    • If one or more players fail to roll either the matching symbol or the hourglass, things get a little trickier. You must move your pawn backward the number of spaces shown on the card. The good news is that all the other players stay put! Put the card faceup on the first Doomsday Grid space on the gameboard, and your turn is over.

    The Mysterious Doomsday Grid

    Hey there! Let me tell you about the danger cards in the game. These cards are like little signs that show all the bad things happening in the town. As we play, more and more danger cards are added to the grid, just like it’s shown in the picture.

    Here’s the deal: we don’t want the grid to get completely filled up with cards. If that happens before one of us reaches the center of the gameboard, we all lose. Bummer, right? But don’t worry, we can always try again until one of us wins!

    Oh, and make sure to place the cards in the direction of the arrow. Just follow the arrows, and everything will be A-OK!

    WAIT FOR 5 or 8 Spaces

    Welcome to the jungle, where you are about to embark on a thrilling adventure. As you step forward, you feel the jungle pulling you back, one space at a time. But don’t worry, your fellow players are there to save you. It might take a few tries, but they will roll the dice to stop your backward journey!

    Now it’s time for the player on your left to roll the number die. Let’s see what fate has in store for us!

    • If you roll a 5 or 8, nothing happens. You and the roller stay where you are, and your turn is finished.
    • If you don’t roll a 5 or 8, you have to move your pawn back one space. You don’t need to follow the directions on the space you land on. The player to the left of the roller then rolls the number die once, and so on. You don’t roll the die anymore. Keep moving back one space for each unsuccessful roll, until someone rolls a 5 or 8 and stops you from moving backwards. Your turn is over if you reach the START space again. On your next turn, start from the START space.

    JUNGLE Spaces

    All players, including you, are trapped in the jungle! Everyone must roll to rescue each other. Your turn doesn’t end until you succeed.

    These treacherous spaces might make you add more danger cards to the Doomsday Grid!

    • First, I draw a danger card and slide it under the decoder.
    • Next, I read the message aloud and reveal the secret symbol and number.
    • Then, I turn over the timer.
    • All players, including myself, quickly start rolling their Rescue dice at the same time.

    Rolling Against Time

    Now, all players roll their Rescue dice together. Keep rolling continuously until you roll the needed symbol or the hourglass. The timekeeper will let us know when time runs out.

    If ALL players roll either the matching symbol or the hourglass, we are safe! We all move our pawns ahead the number shown on the card. We don’t have to worry about space directions. We put the card in the DISCARD pile, and my turn is done.

    If I fail to roll either the matching symbol or the hourglass, I will place the card on the next empty Doomsday Grid space. I will stay put while I draw another card.

    I will repeat these steps until I roll the card’s matching symbol or the hourglass. I may need to draw several cards before I’m safe. My turn will then be over.

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    Welcome to RHINO Spaces!

    Here’s a cool move you can make during the game: you have the option to place the rhino figure on the space directly in front of any pawn (except the center space) to prevent that player from moving. It’s like building a barricade!

    When a player is blocked by the rhino, they have to stay on that space until another player lands on a Rhino space and moves the rhino, or if the blocked player rolls an even number on their turn.

    If your pawn is blocked by the rhino, just roll the number die during your regular turn.

    • If you roll an even number, move the rhino back to its home base and move your pawn forward the number of spaces shown on the die. Oh, and make sure to follow the directions for the space you land on!
    • If you roll an odd number, tough luck. The rhino will continue blocking your way, so you’ll just have to follow the directions for the space you’re currently on.

    The Rhino Follows You: When you’re stuck and have to move your pawn backward, the rhino will move along with you, always staying one space ahead of your pawn. It’s like the rhino is right on your tail, ready to pounce!

    Rules for Moving

    • No sharing space: Make sure not to land on a space already occupied by another player. If this happens, just move your pawn forward to the next available space.
    • Move the full count: Usually, you’ll move your pawn the exact number of spaces indicated on the die. However, there are exceptions. If the rhino is mocking you, or if you don’t reach the center of the game board exactly, there will be special rules to follow. Check out the “How to Win” section to learn more.
    • Stuck? Follow the space’s instructions: If you can’t move your pawn on your turn, don’t worry! Just follow the directions for the space you’re on. For example, if the rhino is mocking you and you’re on a “Wait for 5” or “Wait for 8” space, follow the corresponding instructions.

    End of the Game

    To win the game, your goal is to be the first player to reach the center of the gameboard. You can achieve this in two ways:

    1. On your turn, roll the number die and move your pawn exactly that number of spaces.

    2. On another player’s turn, if you move ahead on a danger card, count the exact number of spaces and move your pawn accordingly.

    It’s important to note that if the number rolled on the die or shown on the card is less than the spaces you need to reach the center, simply move your pawn the number of spaces shown. However, if the number is greater than the remaining spaces, leave your pawn where it is and follow the instructions for the space you’re currently on.

    Remember, multiple players can reach the center on the same turn, but the winner is the one who calls out “JUMANJI” before anyone else. So keep your eyes peeled and stay focused!

    And don’t forget, the most important rule of all: have fun and enjoy the game!

    If the Doomsday Grid fills up before you reach the center of the gameboard, the jungle has overwhelmed you, and we all lose! We’ll have to play the game again until someone finally wins!

    Welcome to the Challenge Game

    To make things interesting, let’s add 1-6 danger cards to the Doomsday Grid using random cards from the deck. See if you can beat the odds!

    A Special Rule for 2 Players

    When playing with only 2 players, follow the regular rules, but keep in mind one exception: The hourglass is no longer a Wild card on the Rescue dice.

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