Sadari — Ladder Lottery Game
The fairest way to make random selections for your group. Based on the classic Korean ladder game (사다리타기), now free online.
Create Your Ladder Game
Set up players, add rungs, and let the ladder decide. Fair, random, and transparent.
How Ladder Lottery Works
Sadari (사다리타기), also known as ladder lottery or Amidakuji in Japanese, is a simple yet mathematically fair method for random selection. It has been used across East Asia for centuries to make impartial decisions in groups.
Draw Vertical Lines
Each participant gets one vertical line, drawn side by side from top to bottom.
Add Horizontal Rungs
Random horizontal rungs are drawn connecting adjacent vertical lines.
Trace the Path
Start at the top. Move down your line. When you hit a rung, follow it sideways, then keep going down.
See Your Result
The bottom of your path reveals your outcome. Every player lands on exactly one unique result.
Why Use Sadari?
Mathematically Fair
Each starting position maps to exactly one ending position through a one-to-one permutation. No outcome is duplicated, and no participant is left out. The randomness comes from the hidden rungs, making the selection process provably unbiased.
Transparent and Trustworthy
Unlike a simple random number generator, the ladder lottery is visual and traceable. Everyone can follow their path and verify the result. This transparency builds trust, especially in group settings where fairness matters.
Fun and Engaging
There is a real element of suspense as each person traces their path down the ladder. It turns an ordinary decision into a shared experience, which is why sadari is so popular for:
- Deciding who pays for lunch or dinner
- Assigning tasks or chores among roommates
- Picking teams for games or projects
- Party games and ice-breaker activities
- Office team-building exercises
- Classroom activity assignments
From the Blog
Ladder Lottery (Sadari): A Complete Guide for 2026
Everything you need to know about the Korean ladder lottery game -- its history, how it works, why it is mathematically fair, and how to use it for your group decisions.
10 Fun Ways to Make Group Decisions (Beyond Flipping a Coin)
Discover creative methods for group decisions -- from the Korean ladder game and spinning wheels to drawing straws and rock-paper-scissors tournaments.
The History of Korean Party Games: From 사다리타기 to Modern Digital Fun
Explore the rich history of Korean party games including sadari, ddakji-chigi, and yut-nori -- their cultural significance and how they evolved into digital versions.