How to Play Snakes & Ladders: A Simple Starter Guide

Snakes & Ladders is a fun and easy board game for 2 or more players. The goal is to reach the final square (usually 100) before anyone else. Here’s how to play:

1. The Game Board

  • The board has numbered squares (1 to 100 or more), arranged in a grid.
  • Some squares have ladders (help you climb up) and snakes (send you sliding down).

2. What You Need

  • A die (singular of dice) to roll for moves.
  • A pawn or token for each player to represent their position on the board.

3. Setting Up the Game

  1. Place all players' tokens on the starting square (usually marked as 1).
  2. Decide who goes first by rolling the die—the player with the highest roll starts.

4. How to Play

  1. Roll the Die: On your turn, roll the die and move your token forward by the number rolled.
    • Example: If you roll a 4, move your token forward 4 squares.
  2. Climb Ladders: If you land on a square with the bottom of a ladder, climb up to the square at the top of the ladder.
  3. Slide Down Snakes: If you land on a square with the head of a snake, slide down to the square at the snake’s tail.
  4. Exact Roll to Win: To reach the final square, you must roll the exact number needed. If you roll more, you stay on your current square and wait for your next turn.

5. The Goal

  • The first player to reach the last square on the board wins.

6. Tips for Beginners

  • Luck-Based Game: Snakes & Ladders is all about luck, so enjoy the journey up and down the board!
  • Stay Positive: Sliding down a snake can be frustrating, but the game is full of surprises—another ladder might be just a roll away.

7. Why Play Snakes & Ladders?

  • It’s a great way to teach kids counting and number recognition.
  • The ups and downs of the game mirror life lessons about wins, losses, and resilience.

Snakes & Ladders is simple, fun, and perfect for players of all ages. Roll the die and enjoy the ride to the top of the board!