Snakes and Ladders: The Odds
You can't play Snakes and Ladders well or badly. You can, though, know what's coming. New here? Read the rules first.
How long is a game?
On the classic board a single player needs about 39 rolls on average to reach 100. With two players the game ends in roughly 25 to 30 rolls each; with four, sooner still, because somebody gets lucky.
The best squares
Square 28 carries the big ladder to 84, and square 80 goes straight to 100. Squares 97 to 99 are the worst place to sit: only one exact roll finishes, and the others are wasted turns.
The worst squares
Square 87 is the longest snake, down to 24. Squares 93, 95 and 98 all have snakes just short of the finish, which is why games so often end with groans.
The shortest game
Seven rolls can win: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7… and because a six rolls again, a single turn can in theory go from start to finish.
Why the extra roll matters
A six gives you another roll, so your expected progress per turn is a bit more than 3.5 squares. It also means a player can take several moves in a row, which is where most comebacks come from.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fewest rolls that can win?
Seven on the classic board kawu uses: 1 (ladder to 38), 2, 4, 6, 7 (to 51, ladder to 67), 4 (to 71, ladder to 91), 6 (to 97), 3 (to 100). With sixes rolling again, that can all happen in one turn.
Last updated 2026-10-20