
- BGG rank
- BGG #239
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Go
- 2 players
- 30–180 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- -2200

1999
Rules assistance for Entrapment
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Entrapment is a board game released in 1999 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Rich Gowell and its main mechanics are Square Grid and Enclosure.
"The object of Entrapment is to eliminate your opponent's roamers (pawns) by surrounding them with impenetrable obstacles and thus rendering them incapable of movement. A roamer that cannot move is considered captured, and is eliminated from the board. When all a player's roamers have been 'entrapped' in this way the game is over, and his or her opponent declared the winner. Components: Hand-made wooden board 3 roamers (mobile pieces) per player, in 2 colors 25 barriers per player, in 2 colors Billed as "The next classic strategy game", this is a clever game in the mode of Blockade; but with immobilization as the goal, rather than race to an objective. There are a couple of interesting twists to the theme - firstly, you may move through your own barriers once (after which they become neutral), secondly, pieces that are surrounded but not dead are forced to move. Online Play Boardspace.net (real time or turn based, AI option) Mobile Apps Boardspace.net local multiplayer or online, IOS Boardspace.net local multiplayer or online, Android
Entrapment supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Entrapment is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Entrapment for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Entrapment has a complexity rating of 3.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Entrapment belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Square Grid and Enclosure. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Entrapment are: Rich Gowell. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Entrapment as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.