Can you think of a game that uses more dice than Boggle? While there might be one out there, Boggle is definitely a contender. But the dice in Boggle aren’t quite what you’d expect are they? This really shows you everything you need to know about Boggle.
With 16 dice covered in letters, Boggle is a fun word game that may seem similar to Scrabble. You have to make words; the longer the word is, the more points you get. But Boggle plays very differently from Scrabble.
Before we look at the rules and gameplay, let’s take a deeper dive into this wondrous word puzzle game.
What is Boggle?
Boggle was created in 1972, by game designer Allan Turnoff. Originally the game was sold in a value pack along with two other games. However, the popularity of Boggle quickly led to it being sold on its own.
Boggle, like many games during the 70s and 80s, was owned by the Parker Brothers. Now it’s sold by Hasbro and you can find many different variants available. However, unlike the many themed sets of Monopoly, these differences aren’t just cosmetic.
Different variants of Boggle usually include more or less dice. This can change the gameplay greatly. There is even a version that combines elements with Twister called Body Boggle. But in this guide, we’ll be focusing on classic/ traditional Boggle.
What You’ll Need
One of the great things about Boggle is just how simple it is! All you really need is a Boggle set/ board, paper, and pens. You will also get a mini-hourglass with most Boggle sets as well. But you can use a stopwatch or a smartphone instead. You just to ensure you are getting the right Boggle set.
The classic Boggle set will contain 16 dice in a 4 x 4 grid. However, these days much larger sets are available usually under the name Boggle Deluxe. Some sets will contain different combinations of letters as well.
We recommend sticking with the classic 4 x 4 version of Boggle if you’re new to the game. The product below gives you an example of what to look out for.
The Dice
Your standard Boggle set will come with 16 dice. You simply place them in the gird and clip the cover on, and you’re ready to play Boggle! Each face of the dice will have a letter on it. When you shake the board the dice will move about and new letters will be shown.
While most dice will only have a single letter on them Q is an exception. This letter will show Qu since most words then begin with Q will be followed by a U. It’s important to remember that for scoring purposes, this counts as two letters, not one, despite only one dice being used.
The Board
It’s worth briefly talking about the board used in Boggle as well. A standard Boggle board will contain a grid of 16 squares, in a 4 x 4 pattern. Once the dice are put in a large square-shaped plastic cover is placed over them.
At the start of each round, a player will shake the Boggle board. This will rearrange the dice inside, the cover can then be taken off and play can begin.
Pens and Paper
There really isn’t much to say about these. Every player will need a sheet of paper and a pen/ pencil to write down their words. Just make sure you have some on hand, as most Boggle sets don’t come with them included.
Boggle Rules and Gameplay
The Aim of The Game
The aim of Boggle is to create as many words as you can. You do this by looking at the letters on the Boggle board. Each dice will show a single letter (apart from Q) and you can form words by connecting them.
Dice can be connected horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. You might not think it but you’d be surprised by just how many words you can end up making. Now scoring isn’t just about making words though.
You are also racing against the clock, because each round is only 3 minutes. If another player writes down the same word then it may end up being discarded. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the rules below.
Setting Up
Boggle is recommended for at least 2 players. But some people do play it solo just to see how many numbers they can create. There is no official maximum for the recommended number of players either. However, we think it works best with between 2 to 6 players.
The first thing you need to do is set up the board. Once all the dice are in place, clip the cover over the board. Then give the board a shake to rearrange the dice. Place the board down and then take the cover off.
Once this is done place the board in the center of the table, so every player can see it. Then make sure every player has a pen and a piece of paper. Then start the timer, you can flip the mini hourglass or simply use a stopwatch.
Scoring
Once the 3-minute countdown has started, you will be racing against other players to form as many words as you can. Since words can be made by connecting dice in any direction, you might see dozens of different words.
Or you might get unlucky and not be able to see any right away. As soon as you do see a word write it down. Now just like in Scrabble the longer the word is the more you’ll score. Check out the grid below to see how scoring works.
| Word Length | Points |
| 3/4 Letters | 1 |
| 5 Letters | 2 |
| 6 Letters | 3 |
| 7 Letters | 5 |
| 8 + Letters | 11 |
Once the 3 minutes are up, players should take turns reading aloud each word they found. If two or more players have found the same word it should be discarded from every player’s list.
Once every player has read their words and discarded any, every player should tally up their score. The player with the highest score wins. If two players have the same score, then the player with the longest word/s wins.
Some modern players discard the duplication rule. If you do decide to then each player simply tallies up their score, and the highest scorer wins. Since Boggle games are generally quite short, some players also add a new rule.
With this rule, a player will need to win a certain number of rounds first to win the game. For example, the first player to win 3 rounds wins the game. This is generally done to make the game longer.
Boggle – A Wonderful Word Game
So, that’s everything you need to know about Boggle. The game is simple, fast, and fun. It’s a great party game and while it is simple, it will certainly get you thinking. If you don’t have a long time to play then Boggle is easy to recommend, thanks to its fast and simple gameplay.
