Ludo is one of the popular traditional board games that have found their way through generations by entertaining many people, young and old. Even though everyone is aware that the game is quite basic, understanding the rules of ludo may sometimes require a little effort, particularly people who have little to no prior experience. Familiarizing yourself with Ludo’s rules enhances your enjoyment and helps you strategize better during the game.
Setting Up the Game
Mostly, two to four gamers can play Ludo at a time. The game has a board with four colored regions dividing it, and every player has four tokens. These are yellow, green, blue, and red. Every player will then choose a color to start playing.
Getting Started
You need to roll on six to move a token from the starting point. After rolling a six, you can put one of your tokens on the start. After placing the token at the starting point, you get one more chance to roll the dice. If you roll another six, you can place one more token or move the one already at the starting point.
Simple Movement Rules
Each time you roll the dice, count the number of spaces your token can move. For example, moving your token five spaces forward when you roll a five. If you have more than one token on the board, you can strategize and choose which token to move to advance it toward your home column quickly.
The Exciting Part
The most exciting or fun aspect of Ludo is the fact that a player can capture other players’ tokens. If any player lands on the opponent’s token in a square, the latter will go back to the starting box.
Major Things Worth Noting
- Safe Zones: Tokens in specific safe zones cannot be captured. Also, tokens of the same colors make a safe zone in any column.
- Re-rolling Sixes: Rolling a six allows you to roll again. However, if you roll three sixes in a row, your turn is forfeited.
Reaching Home: The Final Stretch
The game’s last phase is about getting all of the tokens safely home. This is in the center or the middle of the game board. The token has to do an entire lap throughout the whole board and then it goes up the home column as per the exact dice number that is rolled.
Final Rules to Win
You must roll the exact number needed to move your token into the final home space. If you roll a number too high, your token remains in place until your next turn. The first player to get all four tokens into the home column wins!
Ludo Is For All Ages
A highly strategic game, Ludo requires a fair amount of thinking and skill on your part. Yet, it can be played by anyone, from children and first-timers to those experienced at playing the game. The rules are also pretty simple, and everyone instantly enjoys the game. So, play Ludo with your near and dear ones for magical experiences.
