Ludo

How to play Ludo

Ludo is a classic race game for two to four players. It comes from the old Indian game Pachisi. The board is a big cross with a track of 52 squares around the edge. Each player has a coloured corner called the yard, four tokens, and a coloured home column that leads to the middle of the board.

Goal

Be the first player to move all four tokens around the board and into the home triangle in the centre.

Turn by turn

1. All tokens start in the yard. Press Roll (or the R key) to throw the die.
2. You need a 6 to move a token out of the yard onto your coloured start square.
3. With any other number, move one of your tokens on the board forward by that many squares. Tokens move clockwise.
4. Tokens that can move glow. Tap one, or press its number key (1 to 4). If only one move is possible, it is made for you.
5. A 6 gives you another roll. But if you roll three 6s in a row, your turn ends at once and the third 6 is lost.
6. If you cannot move, your turn passes.

Capturing

If your token ends its move on a square with an opponent's token, that token is captured and goes back to its yard. It needs a 6 to come out again. Tokens are safe on the star squares and on every coloured start square. There, two colours can share a square. Your own tokens can also share a square.

Going home

After almost one full lap, your token turns into your home column. No one else can enter it, so tokens there are safe. To reach the centre you need the exact number. If the roll is too big, that token cannot move.

End of the game

The first player with all four tokens home wins. With three or four players, the others keep playing for second and third place. The final finishing order is shown at the end. When you play the computer, the game ends when you get all your tokens home.

Players and levels

Choose 2, 3 or 4 players. In "vs Computer" mode you play Red and the computer plays the other colours. In "2 Players" mode, friends share one device and take turns. Your game is saved, so you can close the page and come back later. Like dice races? Try Snakes and Ladders or Backgammon.

Strategy tips

• Get tokens out early. A token in the yard cannot use small rolls. Having two or three tokens on the board gives you more choices for every roll.
• Count the danger. A rival token one to six squares behind you can hit you with a single roll. Try not to stop right in front of one.
• Use the safe squares. Stars and start squares are safe. Waiting on one is often better than racing into danger.
• Capture when you can. Sending a token that has travelled far back to its yard is the biggest swing in the game.
• Hurry the leaders home. A token close to your home column has the most to lose. Moving it into the column makes it safe for good.
• Watch rival yards. A token just after someone's start square is at risk when that player rolls a 6.