Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team
Pass the Pigs is a lighthearted dice game where players roll two pig-shaped dice and score points based on how the pigs land. The goal is to accumulate points by rolling combinations like “the razorback” or “the oinker,” but players must decide when to stop rolling to avoid losing their points. With simple rules and quick turns, Pass the Pigs is a fun game for all ages.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.
How to Play Pass the Pigs
Objective:
Be the first player to reach a predetermined score (usually 100 points).
Components:
- Dice cup (optional)
- Two small pig-shaped dice (each with a dot on one side)
- Scoring sheet (optional, you can keep track mentally)
Gameplay:
- Choose a Starting Player: Decide who goes first, you can play a quick round of another game or simply choose randomly.
- Taking a Turn: On your turn, you can use the dice cup (if available) or simply hold the pigs in your hands.
- Rolling the Pigs: Roll both pig dice simultaneously onto a flat surface like a table or floor.
- Scoring: The points you earn depend on how the pigs land:
- Oinker (Both pigs land on their sides): 0 points
- Trotter (One pig lands on its side, the other on its belly): 5 points
- Piggyback (One pig lands on its belly, the other on its side): 5 points
- Snout Up (Both pigs land on their bellies): 1 point per pig (so 2 points total)
- Double Trotters (Both pigs land on their sides): 10 points
- Double Snouters (Both pigs land on their bellies): 0 points
- Rolling Again (Optional): If you score any points except for Oinker (0 points) or Double Snouters (0 points), you can choose to continue rolling on the same turn. However, if you roll and get Oinker or Double Snouters, your turn ends and you lose any points you scored that turn.
- Passing the Pigs: Once you decide to stop rolling (to keep your points) or after you roll an Oinker or Double Snouters, pass the pigs to the next player in a clockwise direction. Their turn begins.
Winning the Game:
- The game continues with players taking turns rolling and scoring points.
- The first player to reach or exceed the predetermined score (usually 100 points) wins the game!
Additional Notes:
- Pass the Pigs is a quick and easy game to learn, making it perfect for families or casual game nights.
- The option to keep rolling adds a bit of risk-reward to the game, as players can try to score more points but also risk losing everything they earned that turn.
- Some versions of the game might have additional scoring variations or include a die to determine how long a player can look at the rolled pigs before deciding to roll again.
So grab those little pigs and get ready for some fun and suspense with Pass the Pigs!






