How to play Snakes & Ladders
- Everyone starts off the board. On your turn, tap Roll and move your token that many squares, following the numbers from 1 up to 100.
- Land at the bottom of a ladder and you climb straight to the top. Land on a snake's head and you slide down to its tail.
- Roll a 6 and you get another roll.
- You need the exact number to finish on 100. If your roll goes past it, you bounce back the extra squares.
- Lucky clovers: everyone gets two. When your roll would land on a snake's head, you can spend a clover to roll again instead. The first player to reach 100 wins!
Snakes & Ladders strategy tips
- Save your clovers for the long snakes. The snake on 62 sends you all the way down to 18!
- Keep a clover for the end if you can: the snakes on 89, 95 and 98 wait right below the finish.
- A short snake might not be worth a clover. Sliding a few squares can be better than rolling again and hoping.
- The biggest climb on the board is the ladder on 28, which takes you up to 55.
- Count each square out loud as you move. It's great practice for counting to 100.
Three ways to play
Solo: daily climb — a fresh challenge every day, the same for everyone. vs Computer: four characters from Rookie Robo (easy) to Grandmaster Owl (expert); beat each one to earn its star. vs Friend: pass the device (up to 4 players), or send an invite link and play online — no account needed.
Variants
Lucky clovers (the default) gives each player two rerolls for dodging snakes, and the four computer characters each use theirs differently: Rookie Robo just guesses, Clever Cat dodges every snake, and Sly Fox and Grandmaster Owl save theirs for the long ones. Classic has no clovers, so it's all down to the dice, just like the board game. Play 2 to 4 people on one device or one friend online with a link. In the daily climb everyone gets the same dice and three clovers: reach 100 in as few rolls as you can.
About Snakes & Ladders
Snakes and Ladders comes from ancient India, where a version called Moksha Patam was played to teach that good deeds lift you up and bad ones drag you down: the ladders stood for virtues and the snakes for vices. The game reached England in the late 1800s as Snakes and Ladders and soon became a nursery favourite around the world. Because it needs no strategy, young children can play on equal terms with grown-ups, and moving along the numbered squares is a gentle way to practise counting to 100.
FAQ
Who invented Snakes and Ladders?
It comes from ancient India, where it was known as Moksha Patam. It was brought to England in the late 1800s and spread around the world from there.
Do you need a 6 to start?
Not here. Everyone can move from their very first roll. Rolling a 6 gives you another roll.
What happens if you roll past 100?
You need the exact number to land on 100. If your roll is too big, you count up to 100 and then bounce back the extra squares.
What are lucky clovers?
Our twist on the classic game. Each player gets two; when your roll would land on a snake's head, you can use one to roll again. Choose Classic if you'd rather play without them.
Is Snakes and Ladders good for young kids?
Yes. There's nothing to read and no tricky strategy, so even 4- and 5-year-olds can play and win. It's also good practice for counting to 100 and taking turns.