How to Play Sorry! Board Game: Complete Rules & Strategy

Sorry! (Hasbro, 1929/1934) – 2–4 players, race game with "take that" mechanics. 30 min.

Components

• Square board with 60-space track + 5-space "Safety Zone" per color.
• 16 pawns (4 each × 4 colors).
• 45-card deck (no 6 or 9).

Setup

• Each player: 4 pawns in matching Start area.
• Shuffle deck; place face-down.
• High card draws first (A high).

Card Effects

Key Rules

• Entering board: Only 1, 2, or Sorry! moves pawn from Start to outer track.
• Occupied spaces: Land on opponent → they return to Start (except Safety Zone).
• Own pawns: Cannot land on/ jump over own pawn.
• Safety Zone: Final 5 spaces; enter by exact count; immune to Sorry!/bumping.
• Slide: Land on triangle of your color → slide to end, bumping all on slide.
• Win: First to get all 4 pawns Home (exact count not needed for final entry).

Strategy Tips

• Get pawns out of Start early (1s, 2s, Sorry!).
• Use 4s and 10s (backward) to hit Safety Zone entrance.
• Sorry! targets pawns near Safety Zone or blocking your slide.
• 7s split: Advance two pawns; position for slides.
• Don't cluster pawns—spread risk.

Simple, mean, classic. House rule: "Say 'Sorry!' aloud when playing the card."