Ludo
The classic race-home board game for two to four: roll, bring your tokens out on a six, capture your rivals and get all four home first.
At a glance
- Play 2, 3 or 4 players: you against the computer (Easy or Smart), or friends taking turns on one phone, tablet or computer.
- Roll a six to bring a token out of your yard; a six also gives you another roll — but three sixes in a row lose the turn.
- Land on an opponent to send them back to their yard (and roll again). Start squares and star squares are safe; your home column is yours alone.
- Race once round the board, up your coloured home column and into the centre — you need the exact roll to get home. First with all four tokens home wins.
- Tokens step square by square, the die tumbles, and tokens you can move glow. Optional rules let you switch off the capture bonus or the three-sixes rule.
- Ludo comes from Pachisi, played in India for centuries, and was sold under the name Ludo — Latin for “I play” — in England from 1896. Free, no sign-up.
Step by step
How to play Ludo
- 1
Roll to start
Tap the die. You need a six to move a token out of your yard onto your coloured start square.
- 2
Move a token
Tap a glowing token to move it forward by the number rolled, clockwise round the board.
- 3
Capture and stay safe
Landing on an opponent sends them home to their yard. Tokens on start and star squares can’t be captured.
- 4
Go up your home column
After a full lap, turn into your coloured column. Only your tokens can go there; you need the exact roll to reach the centre.
- 5
Win
Get all four tokens home first. A six, a capture and getting home each earn another roll.
Features
Everything you need, nothing you don’t
You against the computer
Play one, two or three computer opponents. Smart captures, runs for safety and gets tokens home.
Pass and play
Two to four friends take turns on one device — perfect for the family.
Star safe squares
Start squares and the star on every arm are safe, as on Indian Ludo boards.
Clear moves
Movable tokens glow, single moves can play themselves, and every roll and capture is announced.
Your house rules
Turn the extra roll for a capture or the three-sixes rule on or off.
Pick up later
The game in progress is saved on your device after every move.
Ludo rules at a glance
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Leaving the yard | Needs a six; the token goes to your start square |
| Rolling a six | Move, then roll again |
| Three sixes in a row | Turn lost (can be switched off) |
| Landing on an opponent | They go back to their yard; you roll again (can be switched off) |
| Safe squares | The four start squares and the four star squares |
| Finishing | Exact roll needed to reach home; getting a token home earns another roll |
Ludo tips
- Get tokens out early — having two or three on the board gives you choices with every roll.
- Park on safe squares when an opponent is within six squares behind you.
- Capture when you can — it costs your opponent a whole lap and gives you another roll.
- Don’t race one token alone; spread your moves so a single capture can’t ruin your game.
- Watch the squares in front of opponents’ start squares — tokens there are easy targets for newly released pieces.
About Ludo
Ludo is a simplified form of Pachisi, the cross-and-circle race game of India. It was sold in England as Ludo from 1896 — the name is Latin for “I play” — and is still one of the most-played board games in India, where it is often played with star safe squares.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I play Ludo with the computer?
Can I play Ludo with friends?
Do you need a six to start in Ludo?
What are the safe squares?
What happens if you roll three sixes?
Is my game saved?
Keep going
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