The Ultimate Guide to the Brutal Games of Squid Game: Rules, Results, and Survival Tips

Unraveling the Deadly Games of Squid Game: How They’re Played and What Happens Next

The world of Squid Game is full of colorful, whimsical designs hiding a dark, unforgiving reality. Behind the playful appearance of the games lies a brutal competition where players fight for their lives in the hopes of winning a massive fortune. Whether you’re gearing up for Season 2 or revisiting the intense moments from Season 1, let’s break down the deadly games that decided the fates of the contestants.

Here’s a deep dive into the rules, outcomes, and unforgettable moments from each of the Squid Game challenges.

1. Ddakji: The Game That Sparked It All

Ddakji is the first game Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) encounters in the series, even before he steps into the deadly arena. This childhood game may seem innocent at first, but the stakes are high.

How to Play Ddakji:

• Players start with a folded paper tile known as a ddakji.
• Each player throws their ddakji at the opponent's, attempting to flip it over.
• The first to successfully flip the opponent's ddakji wins the round.

In the show, the Recruiter offers Gi-hun a high-stakes version of this game, where he loses repeatedly and faces painful consequences, including physical slaps. Eventually, Gi-hun wins a round, leading him to the main competition that promises much more than just a few slaps—Squid Game.

What Happens After Ddakji:

Gi-hun, after some humiliating losses, wins and is handed 100,000 won (but still left emotionally conflicted). The Recruiter then entices Gi-hun with an invitation to join the high-stakes competition of Squid Game.

2. Red Light, Green Light: The First Shocking Test

Red Light, Green Light is the game that kicks off the deadly competition, throwing players into a horrifying realization of their grim situation.

How to Play Red Light, Green Light:

• Players must move when the voice says "Green light."
• They must freeze when the voice says "Red light."
• If a player moves during "Red light," they are eliminated by a sniper.

What starts as a nostalgic childhood game turns into a fight for survival, and by the end, 255 players are eliminated.

What Happens After Red Light, Green Light:

Mass panic ensues as players realize the deadly consequences of moving during “Red light.” Gi-hun survives with the help of his childhood friend, Cho Sang-woo, who deduces the doll is controlled by a motion sensor.

3. Dalgona: Sweet Treats with a Deadly Twist

What could be more innocent than Dalgona, the sugar cookie challenge that Gi-hun and his fellow contestants face?

How to Play Dalgona:

• Players pick a shape—circle, star, umbrella, or triangle.
• They are given a dalgona cookie, with the shape imprinted on the surface.
• Using a small needle, they must carefully carve out the shape without breaking the cookie.

What Happens After Dalgona:

The stakes are high, and many players struggle with the challenge. 79 contestants are eliminated, leaving only 108 players remaining. Gi-hun survives, despite picking the most challenging shape: the umbrella.

4. Tug-of-War: A Battle of Strength and Strategy

Tug-of-War might seem like a classic game of strength, but in Squid Game, it’s all about teamwork, strategy, and a bit of trickery.

How to Play Tug-of-War:

• Players are divided into teams of 10.
• The teams engage in a brutal tug-of-war match on two towering platforms.
• The losing team falls to their deaths as the rope is severed by a guillotine.

What Happens After Tug-of-War:

Gi-hun’s team wins, largely due to their clever use of strategy over sheer strength. Only 40 players survive this round.

5. Marbles: Friendship Shattered in a Game of Deception

The Marbles game tests not just skill but emotional endurance, as players must betray even their closest allies.

How to Play Marbles:

• Players partner up with a friend or ally.
• Each player is given 10 marbles and must challenge their partner to a marble game of their choice.
• The goal is to win all of the opponent’s marbles within 30 minutes.

What Happens After Marbles:

The heartbreak of this game is evident as many friendships are torn apart. Among the casualties is Ali, who is deceived by Sang-woo. Only 17 players remain after the round.

6. Glass Bridge: A Deadly Game of Chance

In Glass Bridge, players must make life-or-death decisions based on pure luck.

How to Play Glass Bridge:

• Players face two parallel catwalks with 18 glass stepping stones.
• Some stones are tempered glass (safe to step on), while others are regular, breakable glass.
• Players must guess which stones are safe as they hop across.

What Happens After Glass Bridge:

All but three players are eliminated when the glass shatters beneath them. Gi-hun, Sae-byeok, and Sang-woo survive, but Sae-byeok suffers a critical injury.

7. Squid Game: The Final Showdown

The final game of Squid Game, aptly named Squid Game, is the culmination of all the pain and suffering that led the players to this point.

How to Play Squid Game:

• Players are divided into two teams: offense and defense.
• The offense must hop on one foot while attempting to tag the top of the squid-shaped court.
• The defense can run on two feet but must protect their position.

In this deadly version of the playground game, only one player can emerge victorious.

What Happens After Squid Game:

Gi-hun wins in a brutal battle, after Sang-woo stabs himself following a heart-wrenching conversation between the two former childhood friends.

The Dark Heart of Squid Game

As Squid Game unfolds, the brutality of the challenges strips away any remaining hope for the players. Each game is more than just a fight for money—it’s a battle for survival where every move could be your last. For Gi-hun, winning means surviving the horrors of the Squid Game arena, but it comes at an emotional and psychological cost.

With Season 2 on the horizon, we can expect even more intense challenges and shocking twists. The true cost of greed and survival is sure to unfold further as new players step into the arena.