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Learn Snakes and Ladders Rules
The game of Snakes and Ladders originated in India during the 13th century, and it was previously called Mokshpat. In some parts of the country, it gets the name Snakes and Arrows, whereas, in the United States, it is called Chutes and Ladders.
While the snakes on the board depict evils, the ladders portray blessings. The game enjoys widespread popularity in Asian countries such as India, China, Pakistan, and many more. It is one of those games that has enthralled several generations (of both kids and adults) and has undergone a few name changes over time. In case you're still fairly new to Snakes and Ladders, or you've made your custom Snakes and Ladders board, you'd be interested in looking up the rules before playing or even tweaking some of the game's traditional rules to enhance enjoyment levels.
GAME RULES
The game's primary objective is to take your token to the final box (i.e., the 100th box) by using ladders to move up and avoid landing on the head of snakes. The following are the most important snakes and ladders rules (in its traditional version):
Each player gets a single token to play.
The player starting the game is the one who throws the highest number. The group can then determine the sequence in which they wish to play the game. i.e., clockwise or anticlockwise.
Starting at box no. 1, players move their tokens from left to right. Follow the numbers based on the die value each player gets during their turn and move from right to left in the following row and then from left to right in the next, and repeat the process until the final row.
The die value (on each turn) decides how many boxes players' tokens move. If a player rolls a 4, they will move their token four places.
When the player rolls a 6, they also get an additional turn. The player can move ahead by rolling sixes. However, if they land on a snake's head or at the bottom of a ladder, they must move their token down or up and then roll subsequently to avail their extra turn.
When a player's token lands on a snake head, the token slides down to the bottom box of the snake's tail-end. The token remains on that spot until their subsequent turn.
No tokens can move up the snake's tail.
If a player lands at a ladder's base, their token instantly moves to the ladder's top, landing on the box featuring the top end of the ladder. The token remains on that spot until their subsequent turn.
No tokens can move to the bottom of a ladder.
Whichever player takes their token to the last box (or the 100th box) is declared the winner.
How to Play Snakes & Ladders Game
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1. Understand the game's objective
As mentioned above, the object of the game is to become the first player to reach the finish line by moving across the board from square one to square hundred.
Most boards follow the style of moving from left to right across the first row, from right to left in the second, and so on. Follow the numbers on the board to understand how to navigate forward. For instance, if you roll a four and your token is on box number 12, you'd move it to box number 16.
2. Decide which player goes first
The first die roll is to see who fetches the highest number. Whoever rolls the highest number takes the first turn. After the first player takes their turn, the person placed to the first player's left takes theirs. This continues in a circle going left.
When two or more players roll the same number, and it is the highest number, each of those players rolls the die one more time to see who goes first.
3. Roll a die and keep moving
Roll a die to take your turn and see what number you rolled. Pick your token and move forward the number of spaces mentioned on the die. For instance, move your token to square three if you roll a three. On the following turn, if you roll a four, you move your token four squares forward, landing on box seven.
Some players opine that you can enter the board if you roll a one, and if you don't, you simply skip your turn to the next player. This isn't usually recommended since it can turn out to be frustrating for players with poor luck.
4. Climb up those ladders
The ladders are placed to help you move up the board quicker and get ahead of your opponents. If you land on a square that depicts the bottom of a ladder, you can move your token all the way up to the square which has the top end of the ladder. The best thing is that you never have to move down a ladder. Nothing happens if you're atop a ladder or somewhere in the middle - just continue playing.
5. Move down snakes or chutes
Most versions have snakes on the board, while others feature chutes. Snakes (or chutes) set you back on the board as you need to slide back down to the tail-end square. When you land on a snake head (or chute), slide your token all the way down to the snake's tail end. Nothing happens when your token passes through a snake's middle or lands on a snake's tail-end. The downward slide of your game piece to the bottom of the snake/chute only happens when you land exactly at the top of a snake's head or chute.
6. Get an additional turn if you roll a six
You get an extra turn if you roll a six. Move your piece six squares forward and go for another roll of the die. If you happen to land on any snakes or ladders, follow the above instructions to move down or up and roll once more to avail your extra turn. If you keep rolling sixes, you get additional turns.
7. Land exactly on the final square to win
The first player to reach the highest box on the board wins, which is usually box 100. In some cases, there's a twist. If you roll the die too high, your token bounces off the last square and moves back. You win only by rolling the exact value needed to land on the final square.
For instance, you are on square 98, and you roll a four, move your game piece to 100 (a single move) and bounce back to 98 (second, third, and fourth moves).
How to Play Snakes and Ladders on MPL
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The gameplay of Snakes and Ladders is slightly tweaked on MPL to make it more exciting and thrilling. You won't need any game board or pieces; just a smartphone and a good internet connection. We'll summarize the gameplay and rules as follows:
You and the opponent get 3 pieces each.
You must bring all 3 pieces to the final spot (i.e. 100th box) to win.
If a piece lands on the bottom of a ladder, the piece immediately ascends to the top of the ladder.
If a piece lands on a snake's head, it instantly slides down to the bottom end of the snake.
The position of pieces is not affected if they're either in the middle of a snake or a ladder or at the bottom.
You can knock your opponent's piece off the board by moving your piece to the same box as theirs. For instance, if you're at box 21, and your opponent is at 23, you can knock the opponent off the board by getting a 2 as your next move. This also gives you an extra turn.
You can also win by earning more points than your opponent when the total number of moves run out.
If there is more than one piece (or yours) on a single box, it provides temporary immunity from your opponent, and they can't knock your piece(s) off the board.
Knocking a piece off the board implies it has to re-enter the board again. This doesn't have to be on the subsequent turn but whenever you decide.
There is a set timer allotted to each player for their respective turns. Once the timer runs out, the turn is lost.
To land on 100, you need to roll the exact number on the die. For example, if you're at 97, you need to roll a 3 to reach 100. If you draw a 4 or 5, you can't move the piece to 100.
