Snakes and Ladders

OBJECTIVE SNAKES AND LADDERS: The goal of the game is to reach the final square from the starting square on the board before anyone else (any other player). 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2-6 Players (though the maximum number is not limited to 6, usually 4 to 6 players play Snakes and Ladders game)

MATERIALS: Snakes and Ladders game board, a die, 6 game pieces/tokens (1 for each player, in case of 6 players)

TYPE OF GAME: Strategy board game (race/die game)

AUDIENCE: Teenagers

INTRODUCTION TO SNAKES AND LADDER

In the United States, it is known as Chutes and Ladders and Snakes and Arrows in some parts of India. Snakes and Ladders originated from India in the 13th century, and it was previously known as Mokshpat. 

The ladders made on the board are considered to be the blessings while the snakes represent the evil. The game is played widely in Asian countries such as China, India, Pakistan, and others.

VARIATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Snakes and Ladders is a worldwide classic strategy board game. It is much modified than the original version with different variations around the world.

Some variations of the game are mentioned as under:

  • Super Hero Squad
  • Magnetic Snakes and Ladders Set
  • Chutes and Ladders
  • Jumbo Mat Snakes and Ladders
  • 3D Snakes ‘N’ Ladders
  • Snakes and Ladders, Vintage Edition
  • Classic Chutes and Ladders
  • Folding Wooden Snakes and Ladders, etc.

CONTENTS

To play this game, you will need the following types of equipment:

  • A Snakes and Ladders board (the board contains numbers from 1 to 100, some snakes and some ladders)
  • A die
  • Some playing pieces (depending on the number of players)
Snakes and Ladders Board

SETUP

Before the game gets started, each player is required to roll the die once, and the player who hits the highest number will be the one to play the game with the first turn.

A board, die and four playing pieces/tokens

HOW TO PLAY

After deciding who will play the game first, the players start moving their game pieces by following the numbers on the board according to the numbers on the die in each turn. They start from the number one and keep on following the other numbers on the board.

After crossing the first row, in the next one, they will start from right to left (following the numbers). The player will move their pieces according to the die numbers, so if there is 6 on the die and a player is on the number 3 before the die roll, then the player will place its token/piece on the number 9.

GAME RULES

  • When a piece comes on a number which lies on the top of a snake (face of the snake), then the piece/token will land below to the bottom of the snake (tail of it) that can also be said as an unlucky move.
  • If somehow the piece falls on the ladder base, it will immediately climb to the top of the ladder (which is considered to be a lucky move).
  • Whereas if a player lands on the bottom of the snake or top of a ladder, the player will remain in the same spot (same number) and will not get affected by any particular rule. The players can never move down ladders.
  • The pieces of different players can overlap each other without knocking out anyone. There is no concept of knocking out by opponent players in Snakes and Ladders.
  • To win, the player needs to roll the exact number of die to land on the number 100. If he/she fails to do so, then the player needs to roll the die again in the next turn. For example, if a player is on the number 98 and the die roll shows the number 4, then the player cannot move its piece until he/she gets a 2 to win or 1 to be on the 99th number.

WINNING

The player who manages to be the first person to reach the top/final square on the board (usually the number 100) wins.

Nakoa Davis
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