How to play Snakes and Ladders

Snakes and Ladders is the race up a board of 100 squares that every family knows: roll the die, climb the ladders, slide down the snakes, and be the first to reach square 100. Nobody needs to think hard, which is exactly why it is perfect with the grandkids. Play against one to three computer players (Pearl, Gus and Ivy), pass the tablet around the table, or send a link and play together on your own phones.

The board

• Square 1 is at the bottom left. The squares go left to right, then the next row back right to left, up to 100 at the top.
• Every piece starts just off the board, next to square 1.
• Land at the bottom of a ladder and you climb straight up to its top.
• Land on a snake's head and you slide down to its tail.

A turn

• Tap the die to roll, then tap your piece to move it that many squares.
• On a ladder or a snake, tap it to climb or slide. In Settings you can let routine steps like these happen by themselves.
• You need the exact number to land on 100. If the roll would take you past 100, your piece stays where it is.
• Several pieces can share a square. A 6 does not give another roll.

Winning

The first player to land exactly on square 100 wins.

Questions

Is there any strategy? No. Every move is decided by the die, so a four-year-old and a grandparent have exactly the same chance. That is why there are no levels for the computer players, and no daily game.

Is this the same as Chutes and Ladders? It is the same classic race game. Our board has its own ladders and snakes.

Where does it come from? From an old game played in India for centuries, where the ladders were good deeds and the snakes bad ones. It came to England in the 1890s and to America soon after.

Can we play on one tablet? Yes. Open Settings and choose "Pass the tablet" for two to four players.

Can I play with my grandkids far away? Yes. Choose "Play with friends" and send the link or read out the four-letter table code. The computer fills open seats.

Do I need an account? No. Your game is saved in this browser, so you can close the page and come back.