Long before pinball machines or video games, my first introduction to games was Chutes and Ladders, the game board picture above. It was a version of the game of Snakes and Ladders, toned down, I guess, for American children’s sensibilities. The game was simple; a roll of the dice advanced each player from square 1 on. If you landed on the base of a ladder you climbed it. If you landed on the top of a chute you went down it. The little illustrations showed meritorious behavior granting you a ladder and bad behavior punishing you with a chute. The goal was to reach the 100 square before your opponent.
I was the only child able to count, so at 3 my only opponent was my father. I had no idea that no skill was involved in this game. I remember feeling elated when I landed on a ladder and crushed when I landed on a chute. The game, supposedly fun, reinforced some suspicion of mine that life was somewhat random. I wouldn’t have phrased it that way, of course, but I still remember the mixture of excitement and dread whenever we sat down to play.
I was very relieved when my father brought home the next game, Uncle Wiggly. While this game was purely luck based also, it seemed less moralistic. I happily moved my piece forward and backward across the board, hoping to reach home before my father. Luck being luck we each won fairly regularly. I always chose Uncle Wiggly from then on.
Saved By Words 
I love Snake and Ladders. We used to play it when the kids were just…kids 🙂
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It didn’t even need electricity.
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I remember playing chutes and ladders, but I don’t remember which pictures were on the board. Hmm, maybe my lack of attention to morals was why I got so much coal for Christmas…..
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They are pretty basic about greed and sharing.
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We had snakes & ladders here in Australia too. My grandsons still like to play it! 😀
Jennifer
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My daughter loved it too. So it was snakes in Australia. I guess it was just chutes in the U.S.
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I just bought the Snakes and Laddders game for Christmas. My family loves board games. Usually after a big holiday dinner, we pick one and play. When I brought this home, mom couldn’t believe I had found one. We hadn’t played it since Jamaica. My dad only knew the shoots and ladders version.
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Later I will write about a couple new ones I have learned from my grandkids. We all love them.
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I’m looking forward to it! Board games are a staple on my family.
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Glad to oblige!
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We too played this game and many others 🙂
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I love learning this about the same game in different countries.
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