Trapdoor Checkers

by Goliath

Product Features

• Open and close trap doors to thwart opponents
• Beginners and champions have equal chances of winning
• Tactics and a changing board make this version of checkers more exciting
• Ages 7 and up
• Extremely high quality components

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2.5 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001DCEPWI
• Item model number: 70433
• Manufacturer recommended age: 7 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,639 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Checkers has been transformed into a game of cunning and luck where kids can beat their parents. On each turn players spin to see if they either move, or open and close trap doors. If your checker is on one of the trap doors look out it might fall through. Internationally acclaimed, this great game will be a favorite in your game library for years to come.

Product Description

Checkers has been transformed into a game of cunning and luck where kids can beat their parents. On each turn players spin to see if they will move or open/close trap doors. If your checker is on one of the trapdoors – beware! It might fall through. Internationally acclaimed, this exciting game will be a favorite in your game library for years to come.

• Product Dimensions: 13.25 x 2.5 x 10.5
• Recommended Ages: 7 years & Up

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to play Trapdoor Checkers, December 19, 2008

By 

Jodi Swindle "jodiswindle" (Rowlett, TX) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Trapdoor Checkers (Toy)

Length:: 2:01 Mins

Goliath Rolit ClassicGoliath ExagoGoliath Wordquest

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trapdoor Checkers adds new levels of strategic fun to a familiar game, May 18, 2009

By 

Bernard Dekoven "Major Fun" (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Trapdoor Checkers (Toy)

Trapdoor Checkers adds new levels of strategic fun to a familiar game

Trapdoor Checkers is a new board for an old board game.

Flanking both sides of the board are controls for 4 different slides. Each slide opens or closes one of two trap doors (as the name of the game implies). Which slide you can use, and when, is determined by spinning one of two cylinders embedded on either end the board. When spun, the cylinders offer their players one of three options: slide either a green or orange lever to its next position, or move a checker. When the lever is moved to the left, a trap door is opened; to the center, the door is closed; and to the right, another trap door is opened. On your move, can only slide the lever to the next position.

Each time a trap door is opened or closed, the board is redefined. Though it seems most satisfying to open a trap door underneath one of your opponent's pieces (a rather delicious moment, I must say), it is at least equally satisfying to open a trap door so that when your opponent makes the obligatory jump, she jumps over your piece into the pit of vindication. Every open trap door adds an almost palpable sense of peril. Almost, but not really perilous. Just fun. From time-to-time, the kind of fun that makes you laugh. Often, Major FUN.

To get a better idea of the game, watch this marketing video (originally for game vendors) showing how the game is played.

Designed by David Mair, Trapdoor Checkers proves to be easy to learn, especially if you already know how to play checkers. It brings checker-players a welcome opportunity to re-examine their basic understanding of checker strategies. It adds elements of surprise and unpredictability, combined with a certain, highly graphic opportunity for vengeance, that create new levels of fun and engagement, and necessitate the development of new strategies. Almost any variation of checkers can be played on the Trap Door Checkers board (for more variations, see my article Ex Checkers). For anyone old enough to appreciate checkers, Trap Door Checkers is a reason to appreciate checkers even more.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some Design Flaws, August 26, 2011

By 

M. Mclean - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trapdoor Checkers (Toy)

GREAT CONCEPT - NEEDS TWEAKING - This is a fun twist on a classic game, but the game makers need to work on its design. First, the checkers are extremely lightweight very thin making it difficult for adults to pick up the checkers. They also slide around the plastic board so one small bump shifts everything on the board. Next, the board is made of plasic and has four foam "feet." However, the feet are too small so they don't really hold the board in place on the table. This really becomes a problem when you need open or close a trap door. The levers for those are extremely tight. One person has to hold the whole board while the player attempts to open/close the trapdoors. Mostly, I was doing it FOR my 6-year old. Finally, the plastic board is arched slightly in the middle making the pieces slide off the black squares. My 9 and 6 year old both want to keep it but it is a little tricky to get through a whole game without incident.