3–6 players45 minAge 8+

Classic Detective Game (2002 rules, 6 suspects, 6 weapons, 9 rooms) · Checked against the rulebook, Oct 2026

In short

Mr. Boddy has been murdered, and the answer is sealed in an envelope: one suspect, one weapon, one room. Move through the mansion making suggestions, and cross off every card other players show you. The first player to make an accusation that matches all three envelope cards wins.

Do you have to show a card?What happens if you make a wrong accusation?Can you name your own cards in a Clue suggestion?
1

Setup

  1. 1Each player finds the Start space nearest them, takes that suspect's pawn and puts it there. Spare suspect pawns still go on their Start spaces, because they're suspects too.
  2. 2Put the 6 weapons in 6 different rooms of your choice.
  3. 3Sort the cards into suspects, weapons and rooms, and shuffle each pile. Without looking, put the top card of each pile into the Case File envelope, on the stairs in the middle of the board.
  4. 4Shuffle the rest of the cards together and deal them all face down, clockwise. Uneven hands are fine.
  5. 5Everyone takes a notebook sheet, folds it so no one else can see it, and can cross off the cards in their own hand.
  6. 6Miss Scarlet starts the game; play then goes left.

Rulebook pp. 2–3 (Setup)

2

How a turn works

Move

Roll both dice and move that many squares (no diagonals), or, if you start in a corner room, take the secret passage. Entering a room ends your move; you don't need an exact roll.

Suggest

When you enter a room, name a suspect and a weapon and move both into that room. Starting on your left, players try to disprove it; the first who can shows you one card in secret.

Accuse (optional)

Think you know? Name any suspect, weapon and room, then check the envelope. You only get one accusation per game.

Rulebook pp. 3–7 (Gameplay, Making a Suggestion, Making an Accusation)

3

How to win

Correct accusation

You win when your accusation names all three cards in the envelope:

The suspectThe weaponThe room

Rulebook back cover (Winning)

4

Rules people get wrong

9

Clue rulings

Can you name your own cards in a Clue suggestion?Can you stay in a room and make another suggestion in Clue?Do you have to be in the room to make an accusation in Clue?Do you have to show a card in Clue if you have one?Do you need an exact roll to enter a room in Clue?How do secret passages work in Clue?If another player's suggestion moves your pawn into a room, can you make a suggestion there?In Clue, does everyone show you a card, or only the first player who can?What happens if you make a wrong accusation in Clue?

Official sources

Clue instructions (Hasbro)
Rulebook download (product 00045)

Play better with

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links.

Clue detective notepadsReplacement notebook sheets for when your pad runs outCheck price at Amazon
Clue Liars EditionStandalone version where players are allowed to bluffCheck price at Amazon
Clue JuniorSimpler mystery game for younger kidsCheck price at Amazon
If you like Clue, try
MysteriumDeception: Murder in Hong KongSherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

Last checked Oct 2026 · Report an error