Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Playing snakes and ladders
• Part 2 of 2: Adding variances to the lines
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

If you don't remember the rules or made your own Snakes and Ladders board, you could change the rules before playing, or try a variation on the traditional rules.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Playing snakes and ladders

1. Understand the purpose of the game. The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the end by moving all over the board, from the first square to the last square. Most boards go back and forth, so you go left to right in the first row, then up to the second row and move right to left, and so on.
   • Follow the numbers on the board to find out how to move. For example, if you have rolled five with the die and you are on space 11, you must move your pawn to space 16.
2. Decide who gets to start. Each player has to roll the die to see who rolls the highest. Whoever gets the highest gets the first turn. After the first player has had his or her turn, it is the turn of the player to the starting player's left.
   • When two or more people are the same highest throw the number, then each of those players has to roll the die again to see who gets to start first.
3. Roll the die and move your pawn. When it is your turn, roll the die again and move your pawn the number of eyes thrown. Take your pawn and move it forward the number of eyes thrown. For example, if you roll a two, move your pawn to square two. If you roll a five on your next turn, move your pawn forward five squares so that you end up on square seven.
   • Some people have the rule that you can only go on the board if you roll a 1, and if this does not work, you have to skip a turn. This is unwise, as it is frustrating for low-luck players.
4. Climb up the ladders. The ladders on the board allow you to move up and forward faster. If you land exactly on a square with a picture of the bottom of a ladder, you may move your pawn all the way to the square at the top of the ladder.
   • If you end up on top of the ladder or somewhere in the middle of a ladder, nothing will happen. You never move down ladders.
5. Slide down hoses or slides. Some versions of the game have snakes on the board, while others have slides. Snakes (or slides) put you back on the board because you have to slide off. When it lands exactly on the top of a snake or slide, your pawn moves all the way to the square at the bottom of the snake or slide.
   • If you land on a space in the middle or at the bottom of a hose (or slide), stay where you are. You only slide down when you land on the top square of a snake (or parachute).
6. You get an extra turn if you roll a six. If you roll a six, you get an extra turn. First move your pawn forward six squares and then roll the die again. If you land on ladders or snakes, follow the instructions above for moving your pawn up or down, then roll the die again for your extra turn. As long as your sixes keep rolling, you can keep going!
7. Try to land exactly on the last square to win. The first person to reach the highest square on the board wins (usually this square is 100). But there is one tricky point! If you roll too high a number of pips, your pawn "bounces" back from the last space and you must return. You can only win by throwing the exact number to land on the last space.
   • For example, if you landed on square 99 and roll a four, move your pawn to 100 (one move) and then "bounce" back to 99, 98, 97 (two, three, then four moves). If box 97 is a snake head, slide as usual.

Part 2 of 2: Adding variances to the lines

1. Enable a faster victory. Landing exactly on the last square makes the game more exciting, as it gives other players a chance to catch up, but it can also make the game take too long. Instead, you can allow players to throw higher than necessary to reach 100.
   • To spice things up, when someone reaches or passes 100, give the other players a turn each to try to beat the provisional winner. If someone can finish higher (such as 104 instead of 101), that player wins. Two or more people can draw and thus win together, if they end up on the same square.
2. Add a little strategy to it. Give each player two pawns, each of the same color so that no one gets confused. When you roll the die, you may a move of your two pawns according to that number of pips. Both pawns must reach the last square to win.
3. Play against your opponent. In this variation, each player starts at square 1. To play your turn, you roll two dice instead of one. Choose one die and move your pawn forward according to that number of pips. You can now move the other player's pawn by the number of pips on the second die.
   • For a much nastier variation, and one that may take a lot longer, you can set the rule that if you land exactly on the same square as another player, that pawn must go all the way back to the start and roll it again. die to get back on the board.
4. Make it an educational game. Making your own Snakes and Ladders is easy, as described in the tips. You can make your own variations by adding words, trivia questions, or other educational materials in some or all of the squares. Here are some ideas:
   • For children just learning to read, you can write a simple word in each box. When a player moves his pawn, he must read every word he passes.
   • Use Snakes and Ladders to teach good ideas and discourage bad ones. For example, a ladder can go from "I did my homework" to "I got good grades". A snake can go from "I didn't eat enough fruits and vegetables today" to "I don't feel well".

Tips

• There are many digital versions of this game that you can play in a computer browser or download from online app stores. Look for "multiplayer snakes and ladders" if you want to play this with friends.
• It's easy to make your own Snakes and Ladders game from the inside of a cereal box or any other piece of cardboard. Draw 40 to 100 equal squares large enough for a small coin (a penny or small coin is suitable as a pawn). Draw about six ladders and six snakes at different points on the board that lead to other squares. Always place a snake tail where you want a player to slide down (one near the end is always a good idea). Look online or at home in a game box for various examples.

Warnings

• Do not use variations unless all players have agreed before the game starts.
• Make sure the pawns have different colors - having the same colors as another player is awkward and frustrating!

Necessities

• Snakes and ladders (bought or homemade)
• One die (or more if you want to play a trickier game)
• A pawn (or a coin, bottle cap, etc.) for each player
• At least two players