Snakes and Ladders game has been an exciting game for generations, and has gone through several name changes. Sometimes in the United States, the game is known as Chutes and Ladders (parachute and ladder), and in India it is known as Snakes and Arrows. The rules of the game haven't changed much. If you don't know the rules of this game or have made your own snake and ladder board, it's a good idea to review the game rules before you play. You can also try out variations of the rules of this game.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Playing Snakes and Ladders
Step 1. Understand the purpose of the game
The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the last tile or squares by moving from tile to tile until reaching the last tile. Almost all boards have alternating paths. In the first row, you move from left to right, and after moving up to the next row, you move in the opposite direction (right to left), and so on.
Follow the numbers on the board to see how you move. For example, if you roll the dice and get a 5, and you are on the number 11 tile, you must move your pawn or pawn to the number 16 tile
Step 2. Decide who plays first
Each player must shuffle the dice to see which player gets the highest number. Whoever gets the highest number will be the first player. After the first player gets his turn, the player sitting to his left will get a turn to play. The order of the player's turn moves from left to right.
If there are two or more players who get the same number and the number is the highest number, each of them must reshuffle the dice one more time to determine who is the first player.
Step 3. Roll the dice and move
To take a turn, roll the dice again and see the number you get. Take your pawn or pawn and advance several squares according to the number that appears on the dice. For example, if you get a 2, move your pawn two squares to tile number 2. On the next turn, if you get a 5, move your pawn forward 5 squares and stop at square number 7.
Some people say that you can only put a pawn on the board if you get a 1, and if you don't get a 1, your turn will be missed. This rule is not recommended to be followed because it can be annoying for less fortunate players
Step 4. Climb through the stairs
The ladders on the game board allow you to climb to higher tile rows and reach the final tile faster. If you stop at the tile that indicates the bottom of the ladder, you may move up to the tile indicated by the end of the ladder.
If you stop at the top of the stairs or in the middle of a sign, you don't have to move. In this game, you will never move down the stairs
Step 5. Descend when you stop at the snake or parachute patch
Some versions of the game use snakes, while others use parachutes. The snake (or parachute) makes you have to back off because you have to descend it. If you stop right at the tile with the snake's head or the top of the parachute, lower your pawn until it reaches the tile with the snake's tip or parachute tip.
If you stop at a square where the body of the snake or parachute passes, or stop at a square that has a picture of the end of the body of the snake or parachute, you don't need to move up or down. You only move down if you stop at a square with a snake's head or the top of the paratus only
Step 6. Take an extra turn if you get a 6
If you roll the dice and get a 6, you get an extra turn. First, first move your pawn six squares, then reshuffle the dice. If you stop at the snake or ladder tile, follow the up or down rule first, then reshuffle the dice to play your extra turn. As long as you keep getting 6s, you can keep moving.
Step 7. To win the game, stop right at the last square
The first player to reach the last tile (most tile in the highest row) wins the game. The tiles are usually numbered 100. However, there are surprises in this game. If you roll the dice and get a number that's too big to stop right at the final square, you'll only hit the last square and have to be thrown backwards, according to the rest of the moves.
For example, if you stop at tile number 99 and get a 4, move your pawn to tile 100 (one move), then backtrack to tiles 99, 98, and 97 (two, three, and four moves). If in square number 97 there is a snake head, you have to go down
Part 2 of 2: Adding Rule Variations
Step 1. Use the quick win rule
The rule that to win, the player must stop right at the end of the square does make the game more interesting, because it provides an opportunity for other players to catch up. However, these rules can make the game too long. Therefore, make a rule so that the players can win even if the number of dice that comes out is greater than what is required, as long as they can get past the 100 grid.
To make it more interesting, when a player has reached tile number 100, give other players a chance to beat him. If any player reaches a 'tile' that is greater than 100 due to a larger dice number (e.g., 104), that player wins the game. If there are two or more players who both stop in the same square, these players get a tie and can win the game together
Step 2. Add a bit of strategy
Each player must play two pawns of the same color so as not to confuse. As you roll the dice, you can move one of your two pawns, with the number of moves corresponding to the number that appears. To win the game, both of your pawns must reach the last square.
Step 3. Compete with your co-stars
In this variation, each player will start from the first tile. When it's your turn to play, roll two dice (not one dice). Roll a dice and move your pawn according to the number that appears. Shake the other dice and move the opponent's pawn according to the number that appears on the dice.
For a more 'cruel', and possibly longer, variation of the game, each time you stop on exactly the same tile as another player's pawn, the other player's pawn must return to the beginning and, in order to get back on the board, that player must roll the dice.
Step 4. Make your snake and ladder game educational
Making your own snake and ladder game set is fairly easy to do (as explained later in the Tips section). You can add a personal touch by writing words, simple questions, or other educational material in some or all of the tiles. Below are some ideas you can try:
- To help children learn to read, write one simple word on each square. As the player moves his pawn, he must read every word on the tile in his path.
- Use the game of snakes and ladders to teach children good things and encourage them to stay away from bad things. For example, on a tile with a ladder at the bottom, give the message 'I'm doing my homework.' The ladder on that tile will take the player up to the tile with the message 'I got good marks.' For a tile with a snake's mouth, write the message 'I didn't eat any fruit or vegetables today.” The snake in the tile will later bring the player down to the tile with the message 'My stomach hurts.' This way, children can learn the cause and effect of certain actions.
Tips
- The game has many digital versions that can be played through a browser or downloaded to a device via the app store (for iOS) or the Play Store (for Android). Use the keyword 'multiplayer snakes and ladders' if you want to play with your friends.
- You can make your own snake and ladder board game easily. Use the inside of a cereal box or other cardboard as your board. Draw 40 to 100 squares large enough for small pawns (small coins are ideal for pawns). Draw 6 ladders and 6 snakes on certain squares, with each ladder or snake connecting one square to a different square. Always place the snake's tail on the tile where you want people to descend (a tile near the last tile can be an attractive option). Take a look at the snakes and ladders board games available online for ideas.
