Snakes and Ladders
Roll the die, climb the ladders and dodge the snakes.
How to play Snakes and Ladders
Snakes and Ladders is a classic race game. It first came from India, where it was played hundreds of years ago. The board has 100 squares in a grid of ten rows. Square 1 is at the bottom-left. The numbers go left to right on the first row, then right to left on the next row, and so on, up to square 100 at the top.
Ladders join a low square to a higher one. Snakes join a high square to a lower one. There is no skill in moving, so young children can play and win against adults. Luck decides the game!
Goal
Be the first player to reach square 100.
Turn by turn
- Both tokens start off the board, just before square 1.
- On your turn, press Roll (or the R key) to throw the die. It shows a number from 1 to 6.
- Your token moves that many squares forward along the numbers.
- If you stop at the bottom of a ladder, you climb straight up to the square at its top.
- If you stop on the head of a snake, you slide down to the square at its tail.
- Then it is the other player's turn. On this site, rolling a 6 does not give you an extra turn. Players simply take turns.
- Two tokens can share the same square. There is no capturing.
End of the game
You must land on square 100 with an exact roll. If your roll is too big, your token goes up to 100 and then bounces back for the extra steps. For example, if you are on square 97 and roll a 5, you move to 100 and back to 98. Be careful: there may be a snake waiting where you bounce! The first player to land exactly on 100 wins.
Playing the computer
Choose "vs Computer" and the computer rolls by itself after your turn. Choose "2 Players" to play with a friend on one screen. Your game is saved, so you can close the page and finish later.
Strategy tips
- It is all luck, so relax. You cannot choose how far to move. That makes it a great game for young children, because anyone can win.
- Learn the board. Follow each ladder and snake with your finger before you start. Children learn to count and read numbers up to 100 as they play.
- Count your squares out loud. Moving one square at a time helps kids practise counting and adding small numbers.
- Watch the end of the board. Near the top, an exact roll is needed. Look at which rolls would bounce you back onto a snake, so you know what to hope for.
- Never give up. One long ladder can take a player from far behind into the lead. A long snake can do the opposite.
Snakes and Ladders FAQ
Is Snakes and Ladders the same as Chutes and Ladders?
Yes. Chutes and Ladders is the American version of the same game. The snakes are drawn as slides, but the rules are the same.
Do I get another turn if I roll a 6?
Not on this site. Some families play with an extra turn on a 6, but here the players always take turns. It keeps the game fair and simple.
What happens if I roll more than I need to reach 100?
Your token moves up to 100 and then bounces back for the extra steps. You need an exact roll to land on 100 and win.
Is the computer better than me?
No. The game is pure luck, so the computer has the same chance as you. It just rolls the die for itself after your turn.
