How to Play Jumanji for rulebook haters

I hate reading rulebooks and wrote this How to play Jumanji board game rules guide to provide straight forward steps to get started quick. This guide covers the latest retail version.

Want to find out more about the game, its game mechanics and whether you should play it? Click here.

What is the goal?

Be first to reach the gameboard center and call out JUMANJI!

Jumanji Game setup

1. Shuffle the danger cards and place them face-down to the right of the gameboard.
2. If you choose the blue pawn, it starts on the blue or orange START space. If you choose the red pawn, it starts on the red or green START space.
3. Position the stampede-ready rhino in its home near the gameboard.
4. Both players take one rescue die to roll.

How to Play Jumanji Gameplay in Simple Steps

• Starting the Game: Randomly select one player to start first. Play proceeds clockwise.
• Game Components: Keep the timer, numbered die, and rescue die in front of you during your turn.
• Your Turn: Roll the die, move your pawn the number of spaces indicated by the roll, counting each space as “1”. Aim to reach the game center.
• Game Space Directions: Only follow the directions of the game spaces on your turn.

Jumanji Board Spaces

Blank Space

• Draw Danger Card: Place under decoder, read aloud, announce symbol and number.
• Secret Symbol: Matches image on rescue die.
• Number: Indicates spaces to move on the path.
• Start Countdown: Flip timer, shout “Go.”
• Teammate Rolls: Match secret symbol or time runs out. Hourglass is “Wild” (counts as a match).
• If Matches: Pawn stays in place, turn ends. Other player moves pawn spaces on card, ignore space directions. Discard card.
• If No Match: Move back.

Wait for 5 or 8 Space

• Stuck Until Rescued: Fellow player rolls a 5 or 8 for you.
• If 5 or 8 is Rolled: Both players are safe and stay in place.
• If Not Rolled:
  • Move back one space.
  • Fellow player continues rolling until a 5 or 8 is rolled.
  • Each unsuccessful roll moves you back one space.
• Moving Backward: Follow directions for each space you move onto.
• No Penalty: No penalty for the unsuccessful roller.
• Back to Start: If moved back to Start space, stay there. Turn ends.

Jungle Space 

Draw a Danger Card (Rescue Each Other)

• Draw Danger Card: Decode it. Announce secret symbol and number.
• Both Players Stuck: Must rescue each other.
• Start Timer: One player shouts “Go.”
• Roll Rescue Dice: Roll rapidly until both match the secret symbol or time runs out.

If All Players Roll a Match:

• Both rescued.
• Move pawns the number of spaces indicated on the card.
• Do not follow space directions.
• Discard the card. Turn ends.

If No Match:

• Both stay stuck.
• Add danger card to Countdown to Doomsday.
• Draw and decode a new card. Repeat rolling to match the new symbol.
• Continue until all rolls are successful.
• Multiple danger cards can be added before a rescue occurs.

Rhino Space

• Land on Rhino Space:
  • Option to block opponent by placing rhino figure in front of their pawn.
• Removing the Block:
  • Block remains until either player rolls an EVEN number on their regular turn.
  • Rhino figure is then removed from the gameboard.
• Stuck Player’s Turn:
  • Follow directions for your current space if blocked by the rhino.
• Pesky Rhino:
  • If you move backward, the rhino moves with you, always staying directly in front.

Doomsday Grid

• Jumanji is a race against time.
• Unsuccessful Rolls: Lead to accumulating danger cards in the 10-card formation.
• Losing Condition: If all 10 cards are placed before reaching the gameboard center, both players lose.
• Game Over: Another game must be played until there is a winner.

Additional Movement Rules

• Two cannot be on the same space at the same time. If your pawn ends on an occupied space move ahead to the next open space.
• Always move the full count of your die toss, unless a rhino figure blocks your path or you are trying to enter the gameboard center.

How do you win?

• Winning Condition:
  • Be the first to reach the gameboard center by exact count.
  • Shout “Jumanji” to win.
  • Roll the die on your turn or during another player’s danger card move.
  • If the roll exceeds the needed number, stay put and follow space instructions.

Nobody Wins

• Losing Condition:
  • If all 10 card positions are filled on the Countdown to Doomsday grid before any player reaches the game center, no one wins.

Another Way to Play

• Extra Challenge:
  • Start the game with 5 cards already in position on the Countdown to Doomsday grid.