Throw sticks and race five pieces along a snaking 30-square track in one of the oldest board games known.
Senet is among the oldest board games anyone knows of. It was played in ancient Egypt and shows up painted on the walls of tombs. Two players each move five pieces along a 30-square track that zigzags across three rows, racing to get every piece off the far end first.
Nobody has found an original rulebook, so this version uses a popular modern reconstruction based on the names written on old boards. Most games are won or lost on the final stretch, where a few special squares can help or hurt.
Getting started
All ten pieces begin on squares 1 through 10, alternating colors. Each turn begins with the Throw sticks button. The four sticks land with their marked or plain sides showing, and you count the marks to get your move. A throw with zero marks is worth 6, and 5 never comes up.
Pick one of the highlighted pieces to send it forward. After moving on a 1, a 4 or a 6, you throw again. A 2 or a 3 passes play to the other side.
Rules in brief
- Landing on a lone enemy piece makes the two pieces trade places.
- A stack of two or more pieces of one color is a wall that rivals may not land on.
- Nobody can be hit on square 15, the House of Rebirth.
- No piece may jump over square 26, the House of Beauty. It must land there on an exact count first.
- A piece that ends on square 27, the House of Water, returns to 15. If an opponent is sitting on 15, it goes all the way back to 1.
- To exit, a piece needs the precise throw that takes it one step beyond square 30.
Whoever gets all five pieces off the track first wins.
Strategy notes
Pairs are your best defense. Keep two pieces together whenever you can. A piece left by itself is open to attack and may get swapped back down the track.
Plan ahead for square 26. Since every piece has to stop there, aim to reach it on a precise count, and then hope for low numbers that carry you safely beyond square 27.
Extra turns from a 1, 4 or 6 are chances to do two things at once. You might build a pair with the first move and get out of danger with the second. Hits late in the race hurt the most, because a swapped piece near the end loses a lot of distance. It also helps to keep one piece trailing behind, so you always have a safe move when your front pieces are stuck.
The computer opponent
Easy simply moves any legal piece. Medium and Hard are more thoughtful, weighing progress, captures and safety before choosing a move. Start on Easy to learn how the special squares work, then step up.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throw the sticks | Tab to "Throw sticks" and press Enter | Click "Throw sticks" | Tap "Throw sticks" |
| Move a piece | Tab or arrow keys to a highlighted square, then Enter | Click a highlighted piece | Tap a highlighted piece |
| Choose color and opponent | — | Pick a color and a level, then click "New game" | Pick a color and a level, then tap "New game" |
| Undo or resign | — | Click "Undo" or "Resign" | Tap "Undo" or "Resign" |
Senet FAQ
Can I play Senet on a phone or Chromebook?
Yes. Senet works with a mouse, touch or keyboard. On a Chromebook, Tab to the Throw sticks button and press Enter, then use Tab or the arrow keys to reach a highlighted square. Phones and tablets only need taps, and the board fits either orientation.
Is Senet for one player or two?
Either. Pick a color and play against the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard, or choose a two-player game and share one screen with a friend.
Will my game be saved?
Yes. A game in progress is saved automatically, so you can leave and come back to the same position. There are also Undo and Resign buttons if you want to take back a move or start fresh.
How long does a game of Senet take?
It depends on the throws and on who you play. Extra turns from a 1, 4 or 6 can speed things along, while the House of Water near the end can send a piece back and stretch the race out. There is no timer, so you can play at your own pace.
