Board Games
How to play Trivial Pursuit
Collect six different category wedges, then answer a final question selected by opponents.
What you need
C1940 board, cards, die, wedge holders and six wedge colors
Set up the game
- Choose individual or team play. Put each empty holder in the hub and choose first player.
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Playing Trivial Pursuit
- Roll and move the full amount in a chosen direction. Do not reverse within a move. The hub counts as one; it can connect spokes. A Roll Again space gives another roll.
- On an ordinary category space, answer its color’s question. A correct answer grants another roll; a wrong answer ends the turn. An exact hub landing lets you choose a category.
- Only category headquarters award wedges. Answer correctly there to take that color, never a duplicate. On a later turn move away before trying that headquarters again.
- After the sixth different wedge immediately return to the hub. On your next turn opponents choose the final category before drawing the question. Correct wins; incorrect stays at the hub for another attempt on a later turn.
Six wedges changes the next turn
You earn your last missing wedge at headquarters. Move directly to the hub. You do not need an exact future die roll to reach it in C1940. On your next turn the other players pick a category before taking the final question card.
Use the right question set
The Classic Edition deck is intended for older teens and adults. A player struggling with unfamiliar material may enjoy a compatible easier deck or a separately agreed team format, but do not quietly give one player easier questions mid-match. Teaming mixed ages can let everyone contribute without changing how wedges are earned.
Agree on answer precision
Before starting, discuss whether surnames, common alternate names or small pronunciation errors are acceptable. Use the printed answer as the reference and avoid extra hints that reveal more to one player than another. This is especially useful for a family table where people have different expectations about exact wording.
Beginner decisions
- Before rolling, note which spokes can reach missing headquarters. Choosing a legal direction is more useful than automatically following the circle clockwise.
- For team play, agree how to communicate a final answer so the reader does not have to decide whether an unfinished discussion counted.
Common rule mix-ups
- Awarding a wedge for any correct colored question.
- Applying another edition’s return-to-center travel requirement.
Questions about this game
Can holders share spaces?
Yes.
May opponents see the final question before choosing its category?
No. Choose category first.
Sources and edition notes
Hasbro C1940 Classic Edition, 2016 instructions, ages sixteen plus. Other editions may require traveling back to the hub; this one returns you automatically after the sixth wedge.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
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