Overview
Ludo is a classic board game for 2 to 4 players. Each player has 4 pieces (tokens) that must travel from the starting area, around the board, and into the home column to reach the center. The first player to move all 4 pieces to the center wins the game. Ludo is derived from the ancient Indian game Pachisi and is played worldwide.
The Board
Board structure: The Ludo board is a square divided into a cross-shaped playing area with four colored corners (home bases).
Home bases: Four colored areas (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue) in the four corners. Each holds 4 pieces at the start.
Main track: 52 squares forming a loop around the board. All players share this track.
Home columns: Six colored squares leading to the center, one for each color. Only pieces of the matching color can enter.
Safe squares: Star-marked squares where pieces cannot be captured. There are 8 safe squares on the board.
Center: The finish area in the middle of the board. Getting all pieces here means you win.
Detailed Rules
1. Starting the Game
- • All 4 pieces begin in the player's home base (off the board)
- • Players take turns in clockwise order: Red → Green → Yellow → Blue
- • A piece can only enter the board by rolling a 6 on the dice
- • When a 6 is rolled, the piece is placed on the player's starting square
2. Moving Pieces
- • Roll the dice and move one piece by the number shown
- • Pieces move clockwise around the main track
- • Only one piece can be moved per dice roll
- • If no piece can legally move, the turn is skipped
- • Multiple pieces of the same color can occupy the same square
3. Capturing (Killing)
- • If your piece lands on a square occupied by an opponent's piece, the opponent's piece is captured
- • A captured piece is sent back to its home base and must roll a 6 to re-enter
- • Capturing an opponent grants a bonus turn
- • Pieces on safe squares (star squares) CANNOT be captured
- • Pieces on their starting square are also safe from capture
4. Rolling a Six
- • Rolling a 6 always grants an extra turn
- • You can use the 6 to bring a new piece out of home OR move an existing piece 6 squares
- • If you roll three 6s in a row (three consecutive turns), your turn is forfeited as a penalty
- • After the penalty, play passes to the next player
5. Home Column & Finishing
- • After completing the full loop, pieces enter their color's home column
- • The home column has 6 squares leading to the center
- • Pieces in the home column are completely safe — they cannot be captured
- • You need the exact dice roll to move a piece to the center (can't overshoot)
- • A piece that reaches the center is "finished" and removed from play
6. Winning
- • The first player to move all 4 pieces to the center wins the game
- • In multiplayer games, play continues to determine 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place
- • A player who finishes all pieces is removed from the turn order
- • The game ends when only one player remains
Safe Zones (Star Squares)
There are 8 safe squares on the Ludo board, marked with star symbols. A piece resting on a safe square cannot be captured by any opponent. The safe squares include:
- • Each color's starting square (4 safe squares)
- • Four additional star squares placed evenly around the board
Strategy tip: Use safe squares to park your pieces while waiting for a good roll, especially when opponents are close behind.
History of Ludo
Ludo originated from the ancient Indian game Pachisi, which dates back to the 6th century. The modern version was patented in England in 1896. The name "Ludo" comes from the Latin word meaning "I play." Today, Ludo is one of the most popular board games worldwide, with millions playing both physically and online. Variants include Parcheesi (USA), Mensch ärgere Dich nicht (Germany), and Fia (Sweden).