Suffragetto: Rules, Instructions, Winning Strategies & How to Play

Introduction

Suffragetto is a fascinating board game that was first introduced in the early 20th century. It was created by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in Britain, a group that was instrumental in the fight for women’s suffrage. The game is a unique blend of strategy and tactics, pitting suffragettes against police in a battle for control of key locations. The equipment needed to play Suffragetto includes a game board, and two sets of 21 pieces each, representing the suffragettes and the police.

Rules for playing Suffragetto

1. Each player starts with 21 pieces: one leader and 20 followers. The suffragettes’ leader is called the “Suffragette Leader” and the police’s leader is called the “Inspector”.
2. The game board is divided into two areas: the “Albert Hall” for the suffragettes and the “House of Commons” for the police. The goal for each player is to get six of their pieces, including their leader, into their opponent’s headquarters.
3. Players take turns moving their pieces. A piece can move to any adjacent space, but not diagonally.
4. If a player’s piece lands on a space occupied by an opponent’s piece, the opponent’s piece is sent back to their headquarters.
5. If a player’s leader is sent back to their headquarters, all of their pieces in the opponent’s headquarters are also sent back.

These are the official rules, but players can agree on variations or ‘house rules’ to add more complexity or variety to the game.

How to Play Suffragetto

Setup

Each player places their pieces on their side of the board, with their leader in the center. The suffragettes’ pieces are placed in the Albert Hall area, and the police’s pieces are placed in the House of Commons area.

Gameplay

Players take turns moving their pieces. They can move any piece to any adjacent space, but not diagonally. If a player’s piece lands on a space occupied by an opponent’s piece, the opponent’s piece is sent back to their headquarters.

End of the Game

The game ends when one player gets six of their pieces, including their leader, into their opponent’s headquarters. That player is declared the winner.

How to Win at Suffragetto

Winning at Suffragetto requires a combination of strategic planning, tactical execution, and a bit of luck. Here are some strategies that can help you win the game:

1. Protect your leader: Your leader is crucial to your success. If your leader is sent back to your headquarters, all of your pieces in the opponent’s headquarters are also sent back. So, it’s important to protect your leader while also trying to advance them into the opponent’s headquarters.
2. Use your pieces effectively: Each piece can move to any adjacent space. Use this to your advantage by creating a network of pieces that can support each other. If an opponent’s piece lands on one of your pieces, you can quickly replace it with another piece.
3. Anticipate your opponent’s moves: Try to predict what your opponent will do and plan your moves accordingly. If you can anticipate their moves, you can counter them effectively and gain an advantage.

Best Strategies for playing Suffragetto game

While the basic strategies can help you win at Suffragetto, there are also more advanced strategies that can give you an edge. Here are some of the best strategies for playing Suffragetto:

1. Control the center: The center of the board is a key area. If you can control the center, you can easily move your pieces to either side of the board and make it harder for your opponent to advance.
2. Use your leader wisely: Your leader is your most important piece, but also your most vulnerable. Use your leader wisely, advancing them when it’s safe but keeping them protected when your opponent is threatening.
3. Be aggressive: Suffragetto is a game of offense as much as defense. Don’t be afraid to be aggressive and send your opponent’s pieces back to their headquarters. But remember to also protect your own pieces and not leave your leader exposed.

Scenarios for Suffragetto

There are many different scenarios that can occur in a game of Suffragetto. Here are some common scenarios and how to handle them:

1. Your opponent has a strong presence in the center: If your opponent controls the center of the board, it can be difficult to advance your pieces. In this case, try to break their control by attacking their pieces and forcing them to retreat.
2. Your leader is threatened: If your leader is threatened, it’s important to protect them. You can do this by moving your leader to a safer location or by moving other pieces to block your opponent.
3. You have a chance to win: If you have five pieces in your opponent’s headquarters and your leader is safe, you have a chance to win. In this case, focus on getting your sixth piece into the headquarters without leaving your leader exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Suffragetto game

1. Can a piece move diagonally? No, a piece can only move to an adjacent space, not diagonally.
2. What happens if my leader is sent back to my headquarters? If your leader is sent back to your headquarters, all of your pieces in the opponent’s headquarters are also sent back.
3. How many pieces do I need to get into my opponent’s headquarters to win? You need to get six of your pieces, including your leader, into your opponent’s headquarters to win.
4. Can I move my piece into a space occupied by my own piece? No, you can only move your piece into an empty space or a space occupied by an opponent’s piece.
5. Can I move my piece back to my own headquarters? Yes, you can move your piece back to your own headquarters if you want to, but it’s usually more advantageous to advance your pieces towards your opponent’s headquarters.

External Links

For more information about Suffragetto, visit the official game website here.