RULES OF SENET

QUICK START

FULL RULES

Setup

Each player starts with 5 pieces. Pieces are placed alternately on the first 10 squares of the board (squares 1-10), with one player on odd squares and the other on even squares.

Turn Order

Players alternate turns. On your turn, throw the four casting sticks to determine your movement value (1-5). You must move one of your pieces if a legal move exists.

Movement

Pieces travel along an S-shaped path: left-to-right on row 1, right-to-left on row 2, and left-to-right on row 3. The path continues off the board after square 30.

Captures

Landing on an opponent's piece sends it back to the House of Rebirth (square 15). If square 15 is occupied, the piece goes to the nearest empty square before it.

Special Squares

Square 15 (House of Rebirth): Safe haven and return point for captured pieces. Square 26 (House of Beauty): Safe square, must land exactly. Square 27 (House of Water): Pieces landing here return to square 15. Square 28 (House of Three Truths): Requires exact roll of 3 to exit. Square 29 (House of Re-Atoum): Requires exact roll of 2 to exit.

Victory

The first player to successfully bear off all five pieces from the board wins. Pieces exit after square 30, but exact rolls may be required from certain positions.

VARIANTS

Kendall Rules

SCHOLARLY RECONSTRUCTION

The default ruleset based on Timothy Kendall's academic reconstruction. Includes all special squares and their effects as documented from New Kingdom tomb paintings.

Simple Senet

BEGINNER FRIENDLY

A simplified version without special square effects. Pieces simply race to the end. Great for learning the basic movement mechanics before adding complexity.

Ritual Mode

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Enhanced atmospheric version emphasizing the game's connection to the afterlife journey. Features dramatic events when landing on sacred squares and Egyptian deity narration.