How To Play: Clue

Overview

If you’ve ever accused Mrs. Peacock in the Library with a wrench and watched your friends groan, you know Clue is a classic whodunnit. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick outline of the game rules (so you never have to hear, “Wait, what do I do?” again) and share my best winning strategies. Whether you’re a newbie or a sleuth, you’ll find some tricks to up your Clue game.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 6 Character tokens
• 6 Miniature weapons
• 21 Clue cards (6 Suspect, 6 Weapon, 9 Room)
• 1 Detective notebook pad
• 1 Case file envelope
• 1 Rule sheet

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• 2 Dice

How To Play Clue: Rules Summary

Setup: Let’s Get Mysterious

1. Lay out the game board and set out the six suspects, weapons, and rooms cards.
2. Shuffle the three types of cards (suspects, weapons, rooms) separately.
3. Secretly slip one card from each deck into the confidential envelope. This is the real solution!
4. Shuffle all the leftover cards together and deal them to each player.
5. Place the weapons in random rooms and hand each detective a notepad, pencil, and pawn.

Gameplay: Let the Cluelessness Begin

1. Players take turns, starting with Miss Scarlet, because apparently red goes first.
2. Roll the die and move that number of spaces to reach rooms quicker. Hallways only fit one player at a time, so plan wisely.
3. When you reach a room, make a suggestion like “I think it was Professor Plum, in the Library, with the Rope!”
4. The first player to your left who has a matching card must reveal it to you, and only you.
5. If nobody can show you a card, you may be on to something. Or nothing. Keep track!

Winning: Solve That Mystery!

1. Once you think you’ve cracked it, head to the center room and make an accusation.
2. Announce your guess for all three: suspect, weapon, and room.
3. Peek at the secret envelope. If you are right, victory is yours! Bragging optional.
4. If you’re wrong, say nothing and slink away—you’re out, but still show your cards if asked.

Special Rules & Conditions: It’s Not Always That Simple

1. If you can’t move, you lose your turn. Sometimes, hallways jam up like rush hour traffic.
2. Secret Passages let you zip between opposite corners, because mansions are apparently built for quick escapes.
3. You can always stay in a room and just make a new suggestion next turn. Lazy but smart.
4. If everyone makes a wrong accusation, the game ends in unsolved mystery—lock the study and order pizza.

Now you know the basics! From setup to winning, that’s How To Play Clue. May your guesses be sharp and your friends’ poker faces terrible.

Best Clue Strategies

Mastering Deduction and Note Taking in Clue

Track Every Guess

First, I always keep my detective sheet next to me. Every time someone makes a suggestion, I write down who asked and what cards they named. It helps spot trends and odd moves.

1. Record all clues and suggestions made by players.
2. Mark off cards shown to anyone, not just yourself.

Ask Clever Questions

When it is my turn, I don’t waste guesses. I ask about combinations I want to know more about, mixing in cards I already have to see rivals’ reactions.

1. Use cards in suggestions that you own to narrow down the unknowns.
2. Notice how fast or slow someone answers your question.

Organize Your Detective Sheet

Instead of messy notes, I use symbols! I put a check for cards seen and a question mark for those I’m unsure about. This system speeds up my deductions and keeps my thoughts clear, which is key if you want to know How To Play clue like a champ.

Dash for Victory: Mastering Room Movement in Clue

Plan Your Route Wisely

Instead of wandering aimlessly, I always map my path. I pick the shortest routes to unvisited rooms. This helps me waste less time and cover more ground.

1. Start near center rooms for faster access.
2. Use secret passages whenever possible.
3. Avoid doubling back unless you spot a golden chance.

Time Your Room Changes

Every turn counts. I move into rooms that others just left, since they might have new clues. I never linger too long.

1. Enter empty rooms for fresh guesses.
2. Watch your movement roll and plan two turns ahead.

React to Other Players

When someone blocks my way, I change course, but I keep my goal in mind. If I get moved by another player’s suggestion, I use that chance to my advantage.

1. Capitalize on being moved to a new room.
2. Note which rooms are most popular and why.

Sneaky Sleuthing: Outsmarting Your Friends in Clue

Reading Their Reactions

When playing Clue, I watch my friends’ faces like a hawk. Instead of asking random questions, I focus on their body language and listen for nervous laughter. Here’s how you can up your game too:

1. Look for anyone hesitating when showing a card.
2. Notice if someone eagerly answers, as they might want to lead you astray.

Tracking What They Ask

Next, I jot down every question my friends ask. This shows what cards they don’t have, which helps crack the case quicker.

1. Log every suspect, weapon, and room named by each player.
2. If someone repeats a combo, they may be fishing for info too.

How To Play clue Like a Detective

Finally, I mimic Sherlock by pretending I know more than I do. Sometimes, I even ask about cards I already hold, just to throw them off. This keeps everyone guessing and gives me an edge in solving the case!

Crack the Case Like a Pro!

Look, Clue isn’t just about pretending to be a detective with a fake moustache (though if you do, please send photos). To win, you need a sharp eye, a good notebook, and a poker face that would impress your grandma at bingo night. Remember to keep track of clues, test your theories, and never trust a friend who smiles too much when suggesting the candlestick. If you forget everything else, just remember: How To Play clue isn’t as much about luck as it is about paying attention. Now go out there and accuse with confidence!

Want to know what we think of Clue? Read our detailed review of Clue here