Ludo is the classic race game where four colours roll dice, escape the yard and chase a token home. Here is how it works, where it came from, and how to win.
Ludo History: From Pachisi to the Modern Board Game
Ludo comes from Pachisi, a cross-and-circle race game from India that is many centuries old. Pachisi was played with cowrie shells instead of dice on a cloth board shaped like a cross, and stories place it at royal courts, including that of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
The version most people know today was marketed in England in the 1890s as Ludo, a Latin word meaning "I play". It is usually credited to Alfred Collier, who replaced the cowrie shells with a single die. A simple square board made it easy to learn, and it spread worldwide. Related games include Parchís in Spain, adapted from Pachisi, and Mensch ärgere dich nicht in Germany, which Josef Friedrich Schmidt developed around 1907 and which went into mass production in 1914.
How to Play Ludo: Basic Rules
The standard game is for two to four players, each with four tokens in a colour-coded home yard. These are the most widely played rules.
- Each player picks a colour. All four tokens start in the yard, off the main track.
- Players take turns rolling one die, usually clockwise. Many groups let the highest first roll decide who starts.
- A token leaves the yard only on a roll of 6, and it lands on your coloured start square. Many house rules also allow a 1.
- After that, move any one token forward along the track by the number rolled. You choose which token to move.
- Rolling a 6 gives you an extra turn. Many versions end your turn if you roll three 6s in a row.
- If you land on a square holding a single opponent token, you capture it and it returns to its yard.
- Starred or coloured safe squares protect tokens from capture.
- After one lap, your token turns into your coloured home column. It needs an exact roll to reach the centre.
- You win by getting all four of your tokens home first.
Ludo Variants: Entry Rolls, Captures and Pachisi Differences
Ludo has no single official rulebook, so check the house rules before you start. The biggest difference is how tokens enter play: the standard rule needs a 6, some boards also accept a 1 (for example in Vietnam), Indian versions often use two dice, and some house rules let a token enter on any roll. Parchís, the Spanish cousin, uses a 5 instead. Capture also varies: it is usually optional, but some house rules make it compulsory, so agree on this first.
Pachisi differs from Ludo in several ways. It uses cowrie shells for throws, has a cross-shaped board, and often lets partners play together. Ludo uses one die, a simpler layout and individual players. Our version will follow the common rules above and make the main options clear before each game.
Ludo Strategy: Tips to Win More Often
Ludo is mostly luck, but your choices decide close games. Use these habits whenever you have more than one legal move.
- Capture when you can safely. Sending a far-advanced opponent token back costs them many turns.
- Bring out a second token early. With two tokens in play, a roll is rarely wasted, and you have more choices.
- Use a 6 well. Sometimes releasing a new token is better than moving a leader, and sometimes it is not.
- Park on safe squares. A token on a star square cannot be captured, so it is a good place to wait.
- Watch the gap behind you. Opponent tokens one to six squares behind yours are in range, so move out of danger or onto a safe square.
- Keep a token near the home column. When you roll the exact number you need, you can finish without wasting turns.
- Leave one token as a hunter. A token sitting just ahead of opponents' entry points can threaten them as they come out.
- Do not rush the leader into trouble. A token with a long way to go is a bigger loss than one near the start, so protect your best runner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Ludo?
Standard Ludo supports two to four players, with each person controlling four tokens of one colour. Some online versions let a computer opponent fill empty seats so you can still enjoy a full four-colour game whenever friends are not around.
Do you need a 6 to start in Ludo?
In the most common rules, yes: a token can leave the yard only on a roll of 6. Some variants also let you start with a 1, Indian versions often use two dice, and some house rules allow entry on any roll. The Spanish game Parchís uses a 5 instead.
Is Ludo the same as Pachisi?
Not exactly. Ludo is a simplified descendant of Pachisi. Pachisi uses cowrie shells, a cross-shaped board and often partner play, while Ludo uses a single die, a square board and individual players. The goal of racing tokens home is the same, so the games feel related.
Do you have to capture in Ludo?
It depends on the house rules. Most standard versions make capturing optional, so you may choose another move. Some house rules make a capture compulsory when it is available. Check the rules before playing, because it changes how defensive you must be.
What happens when you roll a 6 in Ludo?
A 6 usually does two things. It lets you bring a token out of the yard, and it grants an extra roll. Many groups limit this: if you roll three 6s in a row, your turn ends without moving. Exact details differ between house rules, so check them before you start.
Will this site let me play Ludo online with friends?
That is the plan. When the game launches, we intend to let you play Ludo in your browser, invite friends to a private game, or practise against a computer opponent. It is not available yet, but it is coming soon.