Cluedo is a popular board game originally produced by Parker Brothers and has been a favorite pastime for the whole family for decades. The aim is to solve a murder case: to find out who committed it, with which weapon and in which room of the house. By formulating hypotheses about the possible murderer, the weapon and the location, it will be possible to discard several options and get closer to the truth.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Game
Step 1. Arrange the board
Unfold it and place it on the game table. On the board there are nine rooms on which the six players' pawns will move. Make sure you choose a playing surface that allows everyone to sit around the board and have easy access to it.
It is possible to play up to six players, each of whom must have access to the board to move their pawn
Step 2. Arrange all six pieces and weapons on the board
You can arrange the pieces randomly, but make sure that each is in a room at the start of the game, along with any weapon.
Step 3. Each player must take a clue sheet and a pencil
Before starting the game, make sure everyone has a clue sheet on which to note the suspects, rooms and weapons. This sheet includes a checklist to tick as the various options are excluded.
For example, if a player owns Mrs. Peacock, a candlestick and the kitchen, it means that these cards cannot be inside the envelope. The player in question must check these items off the list to exclude them
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Cards
Step 1. Keep the three types of cards separate and shuffle each deck
There are three different types of cards in the game - suspects, rooms and weapons - which must be kept separate, shuffled and then placed face down on the board.
Step 2. Place the solution envelope in the center of the board
Draw a card from each of the three decks and arrange it inside the envelope, making sure to keep it face down so that no one can see it. The player who guesses which three cards are wins the game.
Step 3. Shuffle the three decks together and deal the cards
After arranging the cards inside the envelope, it is possible to mix the remaining ones together and distribute them to the players, in equal numbers.
You can look at your cards, but not show them to other players
Part 3 of 3: Playing a Game
Step 1. Each turn, roll the dice or use a secret passage to move your pawn
You should try to enter a different room each time, so the first thing to do at the start of the turn is to roll both dice and move the pawn the corresponding number of squares.
- Remember that in this game it is possible to move forward, backward or sideways, but not diagonally.
- Miss Scarlett is always the first to start the game, so whoever has this pawn must roll the dice first, after which the turn passes to the player to her left.
Step 2. Wait until you have the way clear, in case a player gets stuck inside a room
Two players cannot stay on the same space at the same time, so it can happen that you get stuck in a room if another player is on the space just outside the door of the room you are in.
In case you get stuck inside a room, you will have to wait for the next turn to see if the road is clear and you can exit
Step 3. Make a hypothesis every time you enter a room
Since your goal is to make deductions to try to understand what the suspect, the room and the weapon are inside the envelope, you have to think by elimination to get closer to the solution. Therefore, every time you enter a room you should ask your playmates a hypothesis about the contents of the envelope.
- For example, you could hypothesize that Colonel Mustard in the study with the lead pipe committed the murder. Your playmates will then search their cards for the suspect, the weapon and the room in question. The player on your left will be the first to show you one of his cards, in case he has it in his hand.
- In turn, all the players will show you one of their cards in case they have it in their hand and you will check it from the list to reduce the possible options.
Step 4. Move the pieces and weapons inside the rooms as you advance your hypotheses
You must be inside the room for which you formulate a hypothesis, but you must also move your suspect and its weapon inside, taking them from the point on the board where they are located.
There is no limit to the number of suspects and weapons that can be present in a room at the same time
Step 5. Formalize an accusation when you are sure of the contents of the envelope
You should only move it after you have eliminated almost all the options and if you feel confident about the suspect, the room where the crime took place and the weapon used. If your accusation is correct, you win the game!
