Hippo

About this board game

Hippo is a 20-minute game for 2–4 players about placing buoy chips strategically in Mr. Hippo’s swimming pool. The goal is simple: get rid of all your buoy chips before the other players do.

The pool is divided into swimming lanes numbered from 1 to 12. Lane number 7 is special, serving as Mr. Hippo’s little basin. Every roll gives players choices, as three dice can be used separately or added together to determine where chips are placed.

Careful decisions matter throughout the game. A player who rolls and uses a 7 gets to play again, making the special lane an important part of the action. Players must weigh immediate placement against the possibility of earning another roll.

• For 2–4 players
• Approximately 20 minutes of play time
• Swimming lanes numbered 1–12
• Three dice that can be used separately or combined
• A special extra-turn rule for using 7

The pool can also become unpredictable when a lane is full. If a player plays there again, chips can be kicked out of the pool, disrupting existing placements and changing the situation for everyone.

Released in 2017, Hippo combines dice choices, lane placement, and a lively take-that effect in a compact contest. Use your rolls carefully, take advantage of 7 when possible, and keep working toward an empty supply of buoy chips.