I broke Clue when I was 10 - I figured out that you could fish for a specific item, place or person if you guess two of them that you’re holding. If no one can show you that card, you’ve confirmed the candlestick or whatever, and you also haven’t really revealed that much.

To me, it sounds like you just didn’t have anyone competent to play with. If everyone is using this strategy, they’ll also be able to narrow down which cards you have, giving them more information.