Ladder Game (Amidakuji)
Add the names across the top and a result under each ladder. Tap a name and watch the path find its result. Good for deciding who pays, who goes first or who does the dishes.
How to use it
- Type the names, one per line, up to 12.
- Type the results in the box on the right, one per line, for example Win and Lose, or the chores to hand out.
- Press Draw a new ladder for a fresh random ladder.
- Tap a name, or a name button under the ladder, to trace its path. The result stays hidden until the path arrives.
- Press Reveal all to show every result at once.
How the ladder works
Follow a name down its vertical line. Whenever you meet a rung, cross it to the next line and keep going down. Each rung swaps two neighbouring lines, so every name ends up at a different result and no two names ever share one. That makes it a fair way to hand out one result to each person.
The game is known as amidakuji in Japan, ghost leg in English, and sadari tagi in Korea. People use it for choosing who pays for coffee, assigning chores, picking a turn order and handing out prizes. It is meant for friendly decisions, so please do not use it for gambling.
What people use it for
- Choosing who pays for lunch or coffee
- Assigning chores or tasks fairly
- Deciding turn order in a game
- Handing out prizes or seats
- Picking who presents first in class
Questions
Is the ladder fair?
Yes. The rungs are placed at random, and a ladder always sends each name to a different result. You cannot tell the result in advance without tracing it.
How many names can I add?
Up to 12. Extra lines are ignored.
What if I type fewer results than names?
The missing results are shown as a dash, so you can use it to pick just one or two people out of many.
Is it really random?
Yes. It uses your browser's secure random number generator, the same kind used for security. Each outcome is equally likely, and earlier results do not affect the next one.
Is anything saved or sent?
No. Names and results stay in your browser and are gone when you close the page.
Is it free?
Yes. No sign-up, no limit.