Cluedo Rules

The objective of the Cluedo board game

Every game begins with a mystery.

One suspect, one weapon, and one room are secretly placed inside the Murder Envelope. These three cards reveal who committed the murder, what weapon they used, and where the crime took place. Throughout the game, players gather information to eliminate every other possibility.

The first player to correctly identify all three cards wins.

Cluedo setup

Preparing the game only takes a few minutes, but it's important to follow the correct order.

1. Place the game board in the middle of the table along with all six suspect tokens and six weapon tokens.
2. Separate the Clue cards into Suspects, Weapons, and Rooms.
3. Shuffle each category individually.
4. Without looking, place the top card from each pile into the Murder Envelope.
5. Shuffle the remaining Clue cards together and deal them evenly between all players. Any leftover cards are placed face up beside the board.
6. Give every player a detective notepad or score sheet to track information throughout the game.
7. If you're using the modern version of Cluedo, shuffle the optional Bonus Cards and place them beside the board.

Every card in your hand is automatically eliminated from the mystery, so mark those cards on your detective sheet before the game begins.

How to play Cluedo

Every turn follows the same basic sequence. As the game progresses, you'll gather clues, eliminate possibilities, and move closer to solving the mystery.

Step 1: Roll and move

The player with the highest dice roll starts the game.

On your turn, roll both dice and move your character through the mansion corridors. You may move horizontally or vertically, but never diagonally.

You don't need an exact roll to enter a room. If your movement would carry you beyond the doorway, simply stop inside the room.

Whenever possible, try to enter a room because that's where you'll be able to make a suggestion.

Step 2: Make a suggestion

As soon as you enter a room, make a suggestion using:

• One suspect
• One weapon
• The room you're currently in

For example:

Was it Colonel Mustard with the Rope in the Kitchen?

Move both the chosen suspect and weapon into the room before continuing.

Step 3: Other players respond

Starting with the player on your left, each player checks whether they have any of the cards you named.

• If they have one or more matching cards, they secretly show you one card only.
• If they cannot answer, play passes clockwise until someone can reveal a card or every player has had a chance.

Only the player making the suggestion gets to see the revealed card.

Step 4: Update your detective sheet

Whenever another player shows you a card, cross it off your detective sheet.

Since that card is already in someone's hand, it cannot be inside the Murder Envelope.

Over several rounds, you'll gradually narrow down every possibility until only one suspect, one weapon, and one room remain.

What happens if nobody can answer?

Occasionally, every player will respond with "I can't answer."

This is one of the most valuable moments in Cluedo because it suggests that one or more of the cards you mentioned may be inside the Murder Envelope.

While it's not absolute proof, experienced players often use unanswered suggestions to solve the mystery much faster.

Secret passages and bonus cards

Some rooms are connected by secret passages, allowing you to travel directly between them without rolling the dice. These shortcuts are an excellent way to reach distant rooms and continue collecting information.

Modern versions of Cluedo may also include optional Bonus Cards. Landing on a bonus space allows you to draw a card and immediately follow its instructions. If you prefer the classic version of the game, simply leave the Bonus Cards in the box.

How to win Cluedo

Once you've narrowed the mystery down to one suspect, one weapon, and one room, you're ready to make your final accusation.

In this edition of Cluedo, you must first reach the accusation space in the center of the board before making your accusation.

State your accusation aloud, then secretly check the cards inside the Murder Envelope.

• If all three cards match your accusation, you've solved the murder and win the game.
• If even one card is incorrect, you're out of the race to win. However, you must keep your cards secret and continue answering other players' suggestions for the rest of the game.

Think carefully before making your accusation—there are no second chances.

Cluedo tips

A good detective relies on logic rather than luck. These tips can help you solve the mystery more efficiently.

• Keep your detective sheet up to date. Mark every revealed card immediately.
• Focus on unknown cards. Try to make suggestions involving suspects, weapons, and rooms you haven't confirmed yet.
• Bluff from time to time. Suggesting cards that are already in your own hand can make it harder for opponents to figure out what you've discovered.
• Use secret passages whenever possible. They save valuable turns and help you reach more rooms.
• Don't rush your accusation. Waiting one extra turn is often better than guessing incorrectly.

Cluedo rules summary