How to Win a Game of Clue Without Technically Cheating

Co-authored by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: September 8, 2024

Clue is a fun game to play with friends and family, but it can be hard to win sometimes. You can improve your chances of winning by being observant and using some subtle distraction techniques. These strategies are not technically considered cheating, but some of them are a bit sneaky. Follow these tips, and you'll be a pro in Clue in no time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Being Observant

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1
Keep good notes on the clues you collect. As you play Clue, you will gather clues that will help you to determine the suspect, weapon, and location of the murder.^{[1]
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Research source} To keep track of the clues you collect, you should keep good notes and include the initials of the players who have each of the clues you collect. Doing so will help you to get closer to the truth and win the game.
- Make sure that you check off clues on your detective's notes sheet or write them on your notepad as you collect them.
Your opponents will also be searching for clues to solve the murder, so it is a good idea to pay attention to their suggestions. Just keep in mind that they may try to throw you off sometimes, so be careful not to consider all of their suggestions as clues.

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Watch other players as they check items off on their lists. If another player shows them a card, secretly watch where the first person writes the X down on the paper. If he writes it low on the sheet of paper, it is a room. If he writes it at the top, it means he was shown either a weapon or a character.^{[2]
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- Try to become familiar with the layout of the detective’s notes sheet so that it is easier for you to tell what your opponents are marking off.
- Try flipping your sheet upside down to throw off other players who may be watching you as well.
If a card keeps getting suggested and no one seems to have it, then it may be in the envelope. Make a note of it on your detective’s notes sheet, but try not to be obvious about it. Write it down a little after the name suspect, weapon, or room was mentioned.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Deception

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Never tell anyone that you know or have a hunch. They will be able to gather clues to your suspicion by the questions you ask. For example, if you admit to almost know who did it, then in your next turn you ask to see the Colonel Mustard card, people will believe you think it is Colonel Mustard and you were checking to make sure it was him.^{[4]
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Clue is about detecting the truth, but it is also a game of deception. To deceive your opponents, try pretending that you have a hunch and suggesting a suspect or item that you have in your hand. This will make your opponents consider that item and give you more time to detect the truth.^{[5]
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Watch your body language to avoid giving away clues. Your body language may give away answers about what cards you have or how close you are to winning the game. Try throwing them off by using body language that suggests that you are not doing well. This will help to take their attention off of you.
- For example, if you are winning, try slouching over and looking frustrated.

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How can I win if there are less than six players?

Ashton Wu
Board Game Expert
Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 35K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate.

Ashton Wu

Board Game Expert

Expert Answer

In a Clue game with fewer than six players, maximize your strategic options by utilizing all six pawns. Despite the reduced player count, each pawn retains its potential as a suspect, ensuring a challenging and unpredictable gameplay experience.

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Question

If you use a pen will you be able to rub out your guess?

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No. It is always best to use a pencil in Clue, especially if you are not sure.

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When the clue card says move everyone to a room of your choice, is it the person's choice or each player's choice of rooms?

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The person with the card. The card is talking to you, not the other players.

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Tips

Never jump to conclusions about the suspect, weapon, or location. Make sure that you carefully consider your clues and use logic to make your accusation. You only get to make one accusation in Clue, so make sure that you are almost 100% certain before you make it.^{[6]
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It's easier to start off trying to figure out the answer to the category you have the most of in your cards.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Make your first guess the character you are playing, even if they are in your deck. By doing this, you can restrict other players from making a guess. The minimum dice throw needed to enter a room from the start is 4, so by not picking the other players' characters, you will not move them into the room of your guess, essentially giving them a free go if they rolled less than 4.
Pay attention to your cards versus other players' guesses and the cards shown to them. For instance, if someone makes a guess and you have the person and the weapon cards in your hand, but the one who made guess is shown a card by another player, then you know that they have been shown the place. Basic deductive skills and keen observation are helpful tools.
When an opponent is guessing, especially early in the game, if you have the room guessed, and/or the person or weapon, always show them the room card. That eliminates 1/9 of possibilities for them as opposed to 1/6 for the other categories.
If someone keeps using the same person’s name over and over again, they probably have that card, so mark it off on yours when you know they have it.
Once you have a category, try not to suggest the answer. This may gives clues to other players.

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