by Len Morse

Created on: December 18, 2008   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

The board game Clue ("Cluedo" in Europe), based on the classic murder mystery stories of the 1940s and 50s, turns each player into a detective to find out "whodunit." The crime solving game teaches logic using the process of elimination, while keeping the murder aspect relatively non-graphic. Clue is made by Parker Brothers/Hasbro and is considered a classic family game for 3-6 players, ages 8 and older.

== Setting and Characters ==

The board illustrates a bird's-eye view of the nine rooms in a mansion, and allows a space in the center for the "Confidential" envelope that contains cards showing the murder suspect, weapon, and room for each game. The game's 21 illustrated cards are broken down in the following categories:

- 9 Rooms: Ballroom, Billiard Room, Conservatory, Dining Room, Kitchen, Library, Lounge, Study

- 6 Suspects: Col. Mustard, Mr. Green, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Prof. Plum

- 6 Weapons: Candlestick, Knife, Lead Pipe, Revolver, Rope, Wrench

== Game Play ==

Separate the cards into their three groups: suspects, weapons, and rooms, then shuffle each group. Select one from each group, keeping them face down, and slide them into the small envelope. Place this in the designated space in the middle of the board. Combine, shuffle, and deal all remaining cards, and make sure each player also has a game pad listing every item, with columns of squares next to them. Players should position these items so only they can see what they've been dealt.

Each of the eight rooms are illustrated around the inside edges of the game board, with a blank grid pattern representing the hallways between them. At the beginning of the game, each player chooses one of the six colored tokens that has been placed on its designated starting point. Also, each weapon piece should be in a room, placed randomly.

On his/her turn, a player rolls a die and moves his/her token the rolled number down the hallway, until reaching the desired room. Players may move forward, backward, or side-to-side, but not diagonally. Also, if a token is in a corner room, that player may use the secret passage to the opposite corner room. Once inside, the player should place the chosen weapon piece and suspect token in that room from elsewhere on the board (keeping in mind that it may well be THAT PLAYER'S token).

Using the process of elimination and deductive reasoning, the player then announces his/her suggestion to everyone. For instance, if you placed Miss Scarlet and the wrench in the Billiard Room,

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