Ludo glossary: A complete reference of Ludo terminology, from basic terms every beginner should know to advanced vocabulary used by competitive players.
How to Use This Glossary
This glossary covers the most common terms you will encounter when playing or reading about Ludo. Terms are listed alphabetically for quick reference. Understanding the vocabulary will help you follow rules explanations, strategy guides, and game commentary.
A–C
Term
Definition
Active token
A token that has left the yard and is currently on the main track or home column.
Base
Another name for the yard — the colored starting area in each corner of the board.
Block / Blockade
Two tokens of the same color on the same square (in variants that allow stacking). Opponents cannot pass or land on a blockade.
Board
The square playing surface divided into a cross-shaped track with four colored corners and a central home area.
Bonus roll
An extra dice roll awarded after rolling a 6. The player rolls again and takes another turn.
Capture
Landing on an opponent’s token on a non-safe square, sending it back to its yard.
Circuit
One full loop around the main track. A token must complete a full circuit before entering the home column.
Clockwise
The standard direction of token movement around the main track.
D–H
Term
Definition
Deploy
Bringing a token out of the yard onto the starting square by rolling a 6.
Die / Dice
The six-sided cube rolled each turn to determine movement. Standard Ludo uses one die.
Exact roll
The requirement that a token must land on the home space by an exact count — no overshooting.
Finish
The central area of the board where tokens complete their journey. Also called home.
Home
The center of the board where tokens must arrive to be considered finished.
Home column
The colored strip of 5–6 squares exclusive to one player that leads from the main track to the home area. Tokens here are safe from capture.
Home stretch
Informal term for the home column and the final few squares of the main track before a token turns into the home column.
House rules
Unofficial rule variations agreed upon by players before a game, such as allowing stacking or different starting conditions.
I–P
Term
Definition
In play
A token that is anywhere on the board outside of the yard.
Knock
Informal term for capturing an opponent’s token.
Main track
The 52-square shared path that loops around the outside of the board. All players share this track.
Move
Advancing a token the number of squares shown on the die.
Opening
The first phase of the game where players focus on deploying tokens from the yard.
Overshoot
Rolling a number higher than the squares remaining to reach home. The token cannot move on that turn.
Pawn
Another name for a token or playing piece.
Pip
One dot on a die face; also used to refer to a single unit of movement.
Q–S
Term
Definition
Race
The overall goal of Ludo — racing all four tokens from yard to home before opponents.
Re-enter
Bringing a captured token back into play by rolling a 6.
Roll
The act of throwing the die to generate a random number from 1 to 6.
Safe space
A marked square on the board where tokens cannot be captured. Includes star squares and starting squares.
Six
The die result required to deploy a token from the yard. Also triggers a bonus roll.
Square
One cell on the board track. Tokens move from square to square.
Stack
Placing two or more of your own tokens on the same square (allowed in some variants).
Starting square
The specific square on the main track where a token enters play after being deployed from the yard. Usually also a safe space.
T–Z
Term
Definition
Token
One of the four colored pieces each player controls. Also called a pawn or piece.
Track
The path of squares tokens travel along. Includes the main track and the individual home columns.
Triple six
Rolling three 6s in a row. In many rule sets, this ends the player’s turn without a move on the third roll.
Turn
A player’s opportunity to roll the die and move a token.
Variant
A modified version of Ludo with different rules, such as Parcheesi, Uckers, or Sorry!
Vulnerable
A token that is on a non-safe square and at risk of being captured by an opponent.
Yard
The colored corner area where all four tokens begin. Tokens return here when captured. Also called the base.
Quick Reference — Key Numbers
Number
Significance
4
Maximum number of players; also tokens per player
6
Die roll needed to deploy a token; triggers bonus roll
52
Squares on the main track
5–6
Squares in each home column
3
Consecutive 6s that end a turn (common house rule)
Tips for Using This Glossary
Bookmark this page and refer to it when reading strategy guides or rule explanations.
If you encounter a term not listed here, it may be specific to a regional variant — check our Ludo Variants article for more information.
Understanding the vocabulary is the first step toward deeper strategic thinking.
Play Ludo for free on Rare Pike and put what you’ve learned into practice.
