- BGG rank
- BGG #1,665
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Backgammon
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- -3000
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,752
- BGG rating
- 5.3
Shake Up
1997
Rules assistance for Shake Up
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 7+
- Complexity 1.1/5
Rules assistant for Shake Up
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shake Up is a board game released in 1997 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move.
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About the game
Shake Up is a game of dice rolling for 2 to 4 players, where certain combinations allow you to advance your pawns up a stepped pyramid. On their turn, a player rolls all four dice. They may roll up to three times, re-rolling all, some, or none of the dice. If you roll 4 of a kind, or a run of four (aka a small straight - 1, 2, 3, 4 or 2, 3, 4, 5 or 3, 4, 5, 6) you can move a pawn up a level, and either take another turn, or move one of your opponent's pawns down to the lowest level. If you roll one of these combinations on your first roll, you may move a pawn, move your opponent's pawn, and take another turn. If you roll 3 of a kind, a run of three, or two pairs, you may move a pawn up a level. If you roll a pair, you may not move a pawn, but are not penalized. Your turn ends. If you do not roll any of these combinations, you must move your highest pawn down to the starting level. Pawns can only be moved to the next level if there are at least two pawns on the starting level. (The lowest pawn may move up without needing another pawn.) Each step of the pyramid has one fewer spot for a pawn, so a pawn must go on ahead, or be left behind, making for some strategy and tension. Once you reach the top, you drop your pawn through a hole, and it is safe. It can no longer be moved back down to the starting level. The first player to get all five of their pawns to the top wins the game.
Editions
- Shake UpenJax, Ltd.1997
Questions and answers
Shake Up 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 Shake Up 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 Shake Up 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.
Shake Up has a complexity rating of 1.1 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.
Shake Up belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move. 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 catalogue lists Shake Up 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.