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, you say something like, "I think Miss Scarlet did it in the Billiard Room with the wrench." The player to your left must show one of the three cards if he/she has one (in this case, either Miss Scarlet, the Wrench, or the Billiard Room). You should then mark down the shown card on your pad.
If the player to your left has none of the announced cards, the next leftmost player should show one. If no one has any of the suggested cards, you may decide to make an Accusation, which can be done from anywhere (your token doesn't have to be in the room you use in your Accusation). You can only make one Accusation during the game, so be sure of your data! Open the envelope and look at the cards within. If you are right, the game is over and you won. If not, you are now out of the game, but still must show cards in reply to someone else's Suggestion.
== Strategy ==
Using an empty column, each player should secretly fill in the squares that coincide with the cards in his/her hand. When finished, each player now has a partial list showing which suspects did NOT commit the crime, what items were NOT used, and where the murder did NOT occur. Players should keep this information secret, since the object of the game is to be the first to correctly guess who actually did it, where, and with what.
Do this at the beginning of the game and during each turn. You might also jot down who you get your information from, so you know if you are shown the same card twice.
== Spinoffs ==
Clue has become a large franchise consisting of many different editions of the original board game, plus card games, books, a DVD version, and a moderately successful movie. Some different editions of the game include Clue, Jr., Harry Potter Edition (2009), Library Edition, Simpsons Edition, and a Scooby-Doo Edition.
== Overall Review ==
Deductive reasoning is the way to win Clue. Keep good notes and make sure you know exactly which items you are asking about. The game is certainly more fun with more players, and the game remains exciting as room, suspect, and weapon suggestions whittle down the possibilities. It takes strategy, but not much time, so even a few games can nicely fill an evening.
If you are tired of the original, or simply enjoy trying something different, one of the other editions may be worth your time. Find out about the movie or various retailers like Board Game Central or Amazon or a downloadable version from online spots like Spintop Games.