How to Play Sorry!
Sorry! is a lively family board game about racing your pawns from Start to Home while sometimes sending opponents back. This beginner guide at Playmore explains the board, the basic loop, and quick tips to get playing fast.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Sorry! |
| Collection | popular-games |
| Type | Race / take-that board game |
| Typical players | 2–4 |
| Components | Use the components included with the game |
What you are trying to do
Your main goal is to move all of your pawns from your Start area into your Home space before anyone else does. You’ll move around the track using cards (or tiles) in the set. Along the way you can use special cards and board spaces to slide ahead or to send an opponent’s pawn back to their Start.
What you need and how to set up
Use the components included with the game: the board, colored pawns, the deck of movement cards, and any special pieces like slides. Give each player one color and place all that color’s pawns in their Start area. Shuffle the movement deck and place it where everyone can reach it. Each player sits at their colored corner so they can see their Start and Home lanes.
This guide gives a clear beginner overview. Exact card effects, slide rules, and corner cases can vary by edition. Check the in-box or official rules for the precise version you own.
How to play
- Decide who goes first by any fair method (youngest player, roll a die if included, or draw a card).
- On your turn, draw the top card from the movement deck and follow its instruction. Cards tell you how to move one of your pawns or let you use a special action.
- If a card allows you to move a pawn out of Start, move a pawn onto the track. Some cards are needed to leave Start; other cards only move pawns already on the track.
- Move the chosen pawn along the track the number of spaces or via the path the card indicates. If you land on a space occupied by an opponent's pawn, that pawn is usually sent back to its Start (this is the 'Sorry!' capture). Exact capture rules depend on your edition.
- Slides are special colored stretches on the board. Landing on the start of a slide may let you slide forward, jumping over spaces and possibly knocking pawns back. The slide behavior depends on the board layout in your set.
- After you finish your move, the next player draws a card and takes their turn. Play continues clockwise.
- If a drawn card cannot be used for any legal move, follow your edition's rule for skips or redraws. House rules can work too, but check the official rules for tournament play or exact instructions.
How a round or game ends
The game ends when a player gets all of their pawns into their Home area. Depending on your edition, the first player to finish wins. Some groups keep playing to rank all players. Exact win conditions can vary by edition, so check your in-box rules for the precise ending.
Beginner tips
- Keep at least one pawn near Start at first. That gives you options when you draw different cards.
- Use slides to move extra spaces, but watch where slides land—sometimes landing there helps others more than you.
- Target opponent pawns that are close to their Home to slow them down. Remember, sending a pawn back is a big swing.
- Agree on house rules ahead of time for unclear situations, like what happens when you can't move at all.
- Read the in-box rules once so you know exactly how the cards in your set work.
FAQ
Do I need any special cards or decks?
No. Use the movement deck that comes with your copy of Sorry!. The game uses its own set of movement cards or tiles supplied in the box.
What if I can't make a legal move on my turn?
Editions differ. Some tell you to skip your turn, others let you draw again. Agree on the official rule in your box or pick a house rule before you start.
Can adults use different penalties than taking a drink?
Yes. Any consequence can be replaced with a non-consumption penalty like losing a turn or moving a pawn backward. The game is family-friendly and should stay fun for everyone.