Many players mistakenly believe they can skip a move or avoid landing on their own pieces, but the official rules dictate specific consequences for occupied spaces.
No, according to the Winning Moves/Hasbro Official Rulebook, you are never compelled to return your own men to Start by landing on a space occupied by one of your own pieces.
Expertise: Board game rules expert and content writer. | Verification: Cross-referenced official rulebook text regarding Detailed Rules Section C. | Purpose: Resolve the common confusion regarding the penalty for landing on one's own pieces.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, establish that landing on your own piece results in a forfeit, not a return to Start.
These rules correspond to the US edition of Sorry!.
Regarding whether you can 'sorry' your own pawn, the official rules clarify that a player is never compelled to return their own men to Start except by the specific mechanics of the Slide rule. While you may pass over your own men or those of an opponent, every square on the board must be counted. The rules explicitly state that a player forfeits the move if the only open move would cause them to land on a square already occupied by one of their own men, but this does not result in …
Example Play Situation
Alice draws a 4 card and wants to move her red man. She sees Bob's blue man is in her way, so she passes over him. However, if Alice's own red man was in the target square, she would simply forfeit the move rather than being sent back to Start.
Common Misconceptions
Landing on your own piece sends you back to Start
You can skip squares when passing over your own pieces
You must move a partner's piece if you cannot move your own
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Count every square when passing over men
Do not return your own piece to Start by landing on it
Forfeit a move if the only option is landing on your own piece
Do not skip squares when passing over any men
Use a Sorry card even if it removes a partner's man in Partnership play
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for landing on your own pawn in Sorry!?
You forfeit the move instead of being sent back to Start.
Can I land on my own piece and go back to Start?
No, you only go back to Start if an opponent's piece lands on you.
What if I have no moves because my own pieces are in the way?
You must forfeit the move if no other legal moves exist.
Is it allowed to pass over my own men?
Yes, but you must still count every single square on the board.
