How to Play Snake: The Classic Game, Explained

Snake is one of those games that everyone knows, even if they don't know they know it. It was on every old phone, it's in every browser, and it's still one of the most addictive games ever made. It's simple, it's free, and it's perfect for a quick break. Here's how to play, and how to get a good score.

The rules are simple

You control a snake on a grid. The snake moves in a direction, and you use the arrow keys to change its direction. The goal is to eat the food that appears on the grid. Every time you eat, the snake grows longer. The game ends when the snake hits the wall or hits itself. That's the whole game.

It sounds easy, but it gets hard fast. As the snake grows, it's harder to move around, and it's easier to hit yourself. The game is a test of planning and patience.

Plan ahead, don't react

The biggest mistake new players make is reacting to the food. They see the food, and they turn toward it, and they end up trapping themselves. The key to Snake is to plan ahead. Think about where you're going to be in a few moves, and make sure you're not going to trap yourself.

It's a game of strategy, not speed. Take your time, plan your moves, and you'll get a much better score.

Don't corner yourself

The most common way to die in Snake is to corner yourself. You're chasing the food, and you turn into a corner, and you can't get out. The fix is to always leave yourself an escape route. Don't go into a corner unless you're sure you can get out. It's a simple rule, but it saves you a lot of games.

Use the walls to your advantage

In some versions of Snake, the walls are deadly. In others, you can wrap around. Know which version you're playing. If the walls are deadly, stay away from them. If you can wrap, use it to your advantage. It's a small detail, but it changes how you play.

Snake is a classic for a reason. It's simple, it's free, and it's addictive. Plan your moves, don't corner yourself, and you'll be getting high scores in no time.