Snakes and Ladders

Snakes and Ladders Rules – Detailed Instructions

By George

Rate this post

Snakes and Ladders is a well-known game played all around the world. It is interesting and popular amongst children and adults. Let us take you on an adventure and introduce you to the Snakes and Ladders rules.

What Is the Snakes & Ladders Game?

Snakes and Ladder is an engaging board game that traces its roots to ancient India. At this time the name of the game was “Moksha-Patamu.” This classic game, also known as Chutes and Ladders, is simple yet appealing. 

The playing board of the Snakes and Ladders game has a numbered grid. The participants navigate through the squares by rolling a die. The game unfolds as a race to reach the final square, but the journey is full of twists.

The ladders symbolized virtues in the past and now help you make progress. The snakes embodied vices, but now serve as setbacks. Luck plays a major role as players ascend the board without making a strategic decision. The Sap Sidi game has a rich history and easy rules and thus becomes suitable for children and adults.

What Do You Need to Play?

To embark on a game of Snakes and Ladders, you will need a few essential components. This is one of the reasons why the game is that easy to play. The first thing you need is the game board itself.

Typically it is a square grid with numbers in each of the boxes. The higher the number, the closer you are to the final. These numbered squares create the path that players have to go through during the game. Their ultimate goal is reaching the final square.

You will not need any cards when it comes to the Snake ladder game. The original game of Snakes and Ladders also includes tokens for each player. These symbols distinguish each player’s position on the board. The tokens can range from simple game pieces to more elaborate ones. Thus adding a personalized touch to the experience.

It is possible to create your own game board for Chutes and Ladders. All you need is a bit of imagination. Take a sheet of paper and draw a table then grid it into squares. Number each of them from 1 to 100 and sketch a few ladders and snakes on some of the squares. 

Now, all you need is a die and a friend ready for a thrilling competition. Whether you are using a pre-designed board or crafting your own, you will have a lot of fun playing the Sap Sidi game.

How to Play the Game of Ladders and Snakes?

Two players can play the game, each represented by a colored token so it is a good idea for the colors to be distinctive. These tokens take turns moving across the board. They pass through numbers, illustrated ladders, and snakes. The first thing you need to do is decide who makes the first move in the Snakes and Ladders game. 

The player rolls the die and starts their journey from the initial square. It is usually marked with the number 1. There are three phases in the game of Snakes & Ladders:

  • Placing the tokens on the board
  • Moving through the board of Snakes and Ladders
  • Capturing your opponent’s tokens

Placing Pieces According to the Snakes and Ladders Rules

At the beginning of the Sap Sidi game, the tokens are set outside the playing field. They stay there until the players decide who goes first. Once both players know their turn, the first player has to roll off the die.

Depending on the number the die shows, the player moves their token across the board. After that, the real fun of the game of Chutes and Ladders begins.

Moving Tokens on the Snakes and Ladders Game Board

The board has squares numbered from 1 to 100, but there is a specific way of arranging the numbers in the square boxes. The playing field follows the boustrophedon principle. This is an ancient writing style where the direction alternates with each line. This means you pass through a square only once, as long as you do not come across a snake.

If your token lands on a square a snake’s head is drawn on, you must go back to the position of its tail. The longer the snake, the farther you are from the final box. The good news is that if luck favours you and you land on a ladder, you climb upward through the rows to the other end of it.

You can get close to the finish line of the Snakes and Ladders board game even faster. This happens when you roll the die and get a 6. In this case, you can move your token twice. The first time by six positions, and the second time by the number shown on the die. You may even roll two consecutive 6s and get even more quickly.

Capturing Opponent’s Tokens

It is possible to capture the opponent’s token in the Snake Ladder game. This can happen if at the end of your turn your token lands on the same square which your opponent’s piece occupies. In this case, the opponent’s token is taken out of the board of Snakes & Ladders. They can only get back in the game if they roll a 6 on the die.

Every unsuccessful attempt leaves their token outside the Snakes and Ladders game board. You continue your play following the same Sap Sidi game rules.

There is a tricky moment in Chutes and Ladders. This happens when your token is close to the finish line, but the die shows a higher number than the number of moves you need.

In this situation, you must reach the final square. Then you would have to move backwards. The number of moves you need to make equals the difference between the number on the die and the moves you have already made toward the finish line. 

You must do the same until you hit the exact number of moves required to land on the final square. This is the only way to score a victory. So do not give up!

Strategies in the game of Snakes & Ladders

Unlike card games, developing a strategy in most board games can be more challenging. In the case of the Ladders and Snakes game, it is due to the die that determines your moves.

In the game of Snakes and Ladders and Ludo, the die determines all your moves. You cannot make more or less moves than it shows. According to the Snakes and Ladders rules, if your token lands on a square at the bottom of a ladder, you get to “climb” to a higher number. You go directly to the other end of it. 

But, if you land on a box with the head of a snake on it, your token slides down to the square of the snake’s tail-end. Unfortunately, a smaller number awaits you there.

Of course, you need to remember to have fun while playing Chutes and Ladders. The Sap Sidi game is designed to awaken the child within you and evoke positive emotions.

Variations of the Snakes & Ladders Game

There are a few variations to the Snakes and Ladders game. You and your opponent compete as the objective of the game is to be the first to reach the 100th box. 

Even though there are no variations of the game, you can add your own rules to make Chutes and Ladders even more fun. It is also possible to improvise with the rules, change them, or add more new ones. This can make the game even more intriguing and enjoyable. 

For example, you can include a two-game pieces rule. Let all participants play with 2 tokens of the same colour instead of one. When rolling the die, they can choose which of the two pieces to move by that number. In this case, to win the game one should have both tokens land on the final square. 

You can also add two dice to the game. In this variation of the Sap Sidi game, each player throws two dice instead of one. Then they get to choose a die and move their piece by the number it shows. What the participant has to do next is choose an opponent’s piece to move by the digit the other die shows.

If you want to make the Snakes & Ladders game even more interesting, you can add another rule. For example, to make one player’s token return to the beginning of the board if another one lands on it.

Bonus Read

If you want to expand your universe, we invite you to read our extensive, informative guides on:

History and Origin of the Chutes and Ladders Game

The Snakes and Ladders game traces its roots back to India in the 2nd century BCE. It is considered an allegory of life’s journey. Climbing the ladder represents the ascent guided by karma and destiny. Descending on the snake depicts deceit and evils.

According to ancient Indian beliefs, the ultimate goal was to climb towards Moksha. Moksha represented a spiritual liberation guarded by numerous snakes and ladders. The Victorians and the British later rephrased this Indian belief. According to them, it portrays the human climb and descent based on good and bad deeds. 

In 1943, Milton Bradley proposed a change in the game’s board design to make it more suitable for children. Snakes were removed and replaced with chutes. Nowadays, the game often features friendly snakes that are far from frightening.

Milton Bradley played an important role in popularizing the game. He published the Snake Ladder game in 1943. Many game publishers released different versions of it. Among them were Jumbo, Ravensburger, Spear’s Games, and Transogram. The game rapidly gained popularity. The Spear’s Games version became one of the most preferred ones in the United Kingdom.

Where Can You Play the Snakes & Ladders Game?

Most board games have online and offline versions. The same applies to Chutes and Ladders. It is available in both Snakes and Ladders online and offline versions. You will not have any difficulties finding the one you prefer.

Snakes & Ladders Online

You will find various games on the web. You can access them on your computer or mobile device. Choose your preferred browser and search for Snakes and Ladders online.

You will have the opportunity to compete against either a friend or a game-generated bot. Be the first to reach the square marked with a 100. You can also download a Sap Sidi game app from your Google or App Store. Several apps are available for your mobile device or tablet.

Can You Find the Snakes and Ladders Game in Indian Casinos?

If you are a passionate gambler, the first place you may look for the Chutes and Ladders game is in your favourite Indian casino. Unfortunately, you cannot find Snakes and Ladders there.

But do not worry about it! There are many other games you can gamble on in the online Indian casinos. Check the casino sections of LeoVegas, Casumo, Genesis Casino, and Betway. Not only do they offer a fantastic selection of games but they also provide their customers with special bonuses.

The Snakes and Ladders Game Offline

You do not have to access the Internet to play the game. Nothing feels better than a good old Snakes and Ladders board game. You can easily find such in bookstores and shops. Instead of playing Snakes and Ladders online on a computer or mobile device, invite a friend and enjoy the game at home.

You can also try to make the game board yourself. The board follows the boustrophedon principle. Number the squares sequentially from 1 to 100. 

All you need to do after that is draw some snakes in different colours, along with the helpful ladders. You would need a die or another creative method to determine moves, such as a spinning wheel with an arrow.

Conclusion

The Snakes and Ladders board game is an excellent choice for your next game night. Now that you know the rules the only thing left is to enjoy it, online and offline. Climb the ladders and become the first to cross the finish line in the Sap Sidi game!

December 28, 2023