I’m ashamed to say Triggle has sat on my shelf for such a long time. Gifted to me in the Christmas of 2022 and only made the light of day in early 2025. Life has been busy but this is truly shocking (not the worst record either on my shelf of opportunity). I made a huge error in leaving this so long because it is a fun game that is so simple to pick up. This error has been rectified. Here’s what it’s all about.
Gameplay
The mechanics couldn’t be simpler and that has frustrated me about leaving it for so long. The rules fit on a postcard sized space, it’s so easy.
There is a pre-made board with pins and holes for the… I’m not sure the best word to describe your playing pieces? But they are the pieces you use to score.
Players take turns to play an elastic band, in a straight line across 4 pins. The first player plays wherever they like. From then on players have to play their band in connection with a band already in play, but also touch a new space. When a player completes a triangle, they play a piece in the hole in the centre and they are now scoring. The player with the most pieces out, wins.
Triggle is a game for 2-4 players and the game recommends if you are playing 2 players that you limit to 10 bands each. Probably because there aren’t enough playing pieces to fill the board as there would be in a 3 or 4 player. This is the essence of the rules though, this is all.
So simple
I was blown away with how easy Triggle is to pick up and get going with. It’s fantastic and our young children could get to grips with the rules, maybe not the finer strategy but I don’t think they are seeing the triangles and how to use the bands to create and complete a triangle. That is no slight on them, just where they are developmentally. So the recommended age is likely in the right place at 8+.
The depth.
Whilst the mechanics are simple and easy to pick. The strategy and fine details are immense and there is plenty to think about in the game. This is the sort of game I love, easy to pick up and tricky to master. Figuring out the best way to lay your bands so you do not open up a huge scoring opportunity for your rivals in the game is hard. You have to be trying to look a few moves ahead and planning in this one or you will get demolished on the scoreboard. It makes it very chess-like. It is a lot easier than chess as there are not 6 different types of playing piece with a different set of movement rules on each, but it takes some problem solving, puzzle-like skills.
That can be problematic for some who don’t think this way or cannot visualise what will happen. The game has no chance element within it. No disruption in the flow. So no dice, deck of events like cards or other random chance factor to throw the cat among the pigeons. That isn’t a problem as such, but arguably limits the variability. The plus is, unlike chess, this is played up to 4 people which adds a bit more. Maybe that is the unpredictable element.
Final Thoughts.
Triggle is a fun one, I’m not a chess fan but this game is enjoyable, particularly if you are short on time. Equally, if you enjoy a puzzle or problem challenge then this is the one for you.
