Pappy's Tower Topple

Game Rules and Instructions

Tower Topple is played by two to six players, though if more are playing then teams of two or more are suggested. The goal of the game is to acquire as many points as possible before someone "topples" the tower of bricks. There are several variations of play that the players can choose from.

Version 1) Play according to the point value labeled on the bricks, and follow the instructions that are printed on the bricks. It is also expected that all General Rules and Point Value Rules will be followed. This is the most common and popular method of play.

Version 2) All bricks are worth one point each, no matter the color or printing on it. It is also expected that all General Rules apply.

Version 3) No points are involved (I know, this is a contradiction to the goal statement above, and a drastic difference from Version 1). Each player takes turns removing one brick and replacing it on top of the tower, per turn. It is expected that all General Rules apply.

Version 4) As with any game, house rules can be made up and used, providing that all players agree to the given rule(s) in advance.

Note: Please feel free to use the Contact Page and share your house rules with us. We may like them so much that we incorporate them into a future version of the game.

General Rules

As a brick is pulled it must be placed back on the top of the tower to form a row of three bricks. Once a row of three bricks has been placed, the next row of three can begin.

Play for that round ends when the tower topples. The tower is then reset, and play continues.

The highest row of three bricks may not be selected to be pulled. Any brick in any row below this topmost row of three may be selected to be removed. Once a row is completed on the top, this becomes the topmost row, and the row below it may now come into play.

Point Value Rules

Some bricks have instructions on them. They are as follows:

"Next player must Draw a Blue brick." - (Worth one point in play) The next player is expected to choose from one of the two blue bricks to pull.

"Next player must Draw a Green brick." - (Worth one point in play) The next player is expected to choose from one of the two green bricks to pull.

"Next player must Draw a Red brick." - (Worth one point in play) The next player is expected to choose from one of the two red bricks to pull.

"Next player must Draw a Yellow brick." - (Worth one point in play) The next player is expected to choose from one of the two yellow bricks to pull.

If successful in removing a given required color brick and replacing it in the top-forming row of the tower, that player earns three points toward their score.

If it is obvious that pulling either of the bricks of the required color will result in the toppling of the tower, a different color brick may be chosen to replace the required color brick, as well as one other brick, which does not have to be colored. However, if this play option is taken, both bricks are only worth one point each, for a total of two points per that given turn. (see Example “A”)

If one of the given required color bricks is in the topmost row and currently out of play, then the other given required color brick must be played. However, if the removal of that brick will result in a definite toppling, then the above option can come into play. (see Example “B”)

If during regular play a player chooses to pull a colored brick, but has not been required to do so by a "Draw given Color" brick, when successfully placed as part of the upper topmost row, this brick only earns one point towards their score.

Example “A”: If a “Draw Red” brick has been selected, in this scenario shown a red brick cannot be successfully pulled. Therefore, the required player may opt for two other bricks, as per the given rule.

Example “B”: If a “Draw Yellow” brick has been selected, in this scenario shown a yellow brick cannot be successfully pulled. One will result in the tower falling, the other is out of play due to being on the top of the tower. Therefore, the required player may opt for two other bricks, as per the given rule.

"Next player must Draw Two bricks." - (Worth one point in play) The next player may choose any two bricks to move up to the top row, one at a time. Unfortunately, only one point total is earned for that turn. If a brick with a statement is pulled, it is expected that the given instructions will be followed. If both bricks have instructions, both instructions should be followed, separately, but in the order they were pulled.

"Skip your next turn." - (Worth one point in play) This can be an advantage in that you do not have to worry about the tower toppling during your next turn, as it will be skipped. However, at the same time you will not be able to earn any points on that turn being skipped.

"Draw one more brick this turn." - Fortunately, this brick does earn the player one point on their score, but only after it has been successfully placed on top of the tower. The player must then draw another brick during that current turn. And yes, if there are instructions on it, then they must be followed as well. Sadly, this second brick, and any other bricks that are required to be played during this turn, will not add points to that player's score. If instructions on a subsuquent brick require actions from the next player, that player's score will be dependent upon the play that they are required to accomplish.

"Reverse the direction of play." - (Worth one point in play) When three or more players are participating in the game, the next person to play is usually the person to the current player's left. However, when the "Reverse" brick is drawn, play changes direction and will continue to the current player's right. This will continue until another "Reverse" brick is drawn, or until the tower topples. At the beginning of the next round, after the tower has been reset, play will return to the next player's left.

"Next player must Draw an edge brick." - (Worth one point in play) When viewing a row of three bricks, the player is expected to leave the center brick of the three alone, and remove one of the two bricks on the outside edge of the given trio. If only two bricks in the row of choice, the player is expected to leave the center brick alone and remove the other. The player may choose which edge brick they remove, but they will only score one point when their turn is over.

"Next player must Draw a center brick." - (Worth one point in play) When viewing a row of three bricks, the player is expected to remove the center brick of the three, and leave both of the other two bricks on the outside edge of the given trio alone. The player may choose which center brick they remove, but they will only score one point when their turn is over.

"You lose 2 points." - Pretty straight forward, the given player that pulls this brick loses two points from their score. This player will lose an extra two points if they fail to successfully place this brick on the top of the tower to finish their current turn.

"All other players gain one point." - The player that pulls this brick does not gain any point(s), though they have earned one point for all other players in the game. If the player fails to successfully place this brick on top of the tower to end their turn, all other players in the game will be rewarded with an extra three points to their individual scores.

"Add 2 points to your score." - Pretty much self explanatory.

"Add 3 points to your score." - Yep, this one too pretty much explains itself.

Comments, or questions? Please use our Contact Page to reach out to us.