How to Play Cluedo
Cluedo (Clue) is the classic murder mystery deduction game. A crime has been committed in Tudor Mansion — deduce the suspect, weapon, and room by moving through the manor and collecting clues. First to crack the case wins.
The 3 mysteries to solve
6 Suspects
6 Weapons
- Candlestick
- Knife
- Lead Pipe
- Revolver
- Rope
- Wrench
9 Rooms
- Kitchen
- Ballroom
- Conservatory
- Billiard Room
- Library
- Study
- Hall
- Lounge
- Dining Room
How to play
Setup
Shuffle suspect, weapon, and room cards separately. Draw one of each and seal them in the Solution Envelope (face-down). Shuffle the remaining 18 cards together and deal them equally to all players.
Your turn
Roll the die and move your token through corridors. Enter a room to make a Suggestion. Secret passages let you move between diagonally opposite rooms instantly.
Making a suggestion
Name a suspect, weapon, and the room you're currently in. Move the named suspect and weapon to your room. The player to your left (clockwise) must show you ONE card from their hand that matches — but only to you, privately.
Deduction
Mark on your deduction sheet any card shown to you as "not in the envelope." Over time, eliminate all suspects, weapons, and rooms from suspicion. The remaining combination is the solution.
Making an accusation
When confident in the solution, make an Accusation on your turn. Secretly look at the Solution Envelope. If correct: reveal and win. If wrong: replace the envelope and you're eliminated (but still show cards to others).
4 deduction tips
Note who disproves
When someone disproves your suggestion, mark that they hold at least one of the three cards. This narrows possibilities even if you don't see which card.
Watch others' suggestions
When another player suggests a room/weapon/suspect and no one disproves it, all three might be in the envelope — valuable intel even when not your suggestion.
Stay in rooms
You can only make suggestions from inside a room. Move efficiently between rooms rather than wasting turns in corridors.
Use named suspects strategically
Moving a suspect to your room reveals that player's pawn went there. If another player needs to visit that room, they may be forced to make a move you can predict.
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Download Board Game BattlesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Suggestion and an Accusation?
A Suggestion is a tentative guess made from inside a room — it must include the room you're in. Other players show you cards to disprove it privately. You can make unlimited suggestions. An Accusation is a final claim of the solution — if wrong, you're eliminated. If correct, you win. Only make an Accusation when you're certain.
Can you re-enter a room you just left?
No — you cannot make a suggestion in a room you're re-entering from that same room in a previous turn (standard rules). You must leave and re-enter from a corridor. Secret passages allow moves to other rooms regardless.
How many players is Cluedo best for?
Cluedo officially supports 2–6 players. The sweet spot is 3–5 players. With 6 players, cards are distributed thin — deduction is harder. With 2 players, one player uses a ghost hand. Optimal deduction challenge is at 4 players.
What is Cluedo called in the US?
In North America (USA and Canada), the game is called "Clue." It was published by Parker Brothers in 1949, renamed from the British original "Cluedo" (a portmanteau of "clue" and "Ludo"). The suspects' names and some weapons differ between regional versions.