
- BGG rank
- BGG #18
- BGG rating
- 8.4
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2024
- Ask about the rules

Rules assistance for Raise the Roof
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Raise the Roof is a board game released in 1982 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. It was designed by Truman Henard, Jr. and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Set Collection.
"Put on your hard hat and get ready to build. Anything can happen when playing the exciting card game Raise the Roof. As you collect the rooms and systems necessary to construct your house of cards, strategy and quick thinking are needed to avoid the catastrophes and disasters of this construction/destruction game. An hour of fun or an evening of entertainment . . . whether you Raise 'em or Raze 'em - Fun is the proof when you Raise the Roof." Raise the Roof is a card game where you try to build your house while trying to burn down/blow up/stall (with labor problems) the other players' houses. Players draw cards and place them on the table to build their houses or they can play a disaster on another player to slow his progress. The player with the most valuable house at the end of the game wins.
Raise the Roof supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Raise the Roof is 60 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 Raise the Roof for ages 7 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.
Raise the Roof has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light 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.
Raise the Roof belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Set Collection. 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 Raise the Roof are: Truman Henard, Jr.. 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 Raise the Roof 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.