Ludo is a board game for 2-4 players derived from the ancient Indian game Pachisi. Here is a complete guide to the rules, from setup to scoring, so you can start playing right away.

What Is Ludo?

Ludo is a classic board game for 2 to 4 players. Each player races four tokens from a starting yard, around a shared track, and into a private home column. The first player to move all four tokens home wins. The game is driven entirely by dice rolls, but smart decisions about which token to move add a meaningful layer of strategy.

Ludo descends from the ancient Indian game Pachisi and became popular worldwide after being patented in England in 1896. Today it remains one of the most played board games on the planet.

The Board Layout

The Ludo board is a square divided into a cross-shaped track with four colored corners. Each corner is a player’s yard (also called the base), where tokens begin the game.

Board Feature Description
Yard Colored corner area; tokens start here
Starting Square The first square a token enters on the main track
Main Track The shared path of 52 squares around the board
Safe Spaces Marked squares where tokens cannot be captured
Home Column A colored column of 5–6 squares leading to the center
Home (Finish) The center triangle; tokens must reach here to finish

Setting Up the Game

  1. Each player chooses a color and places all four tokens in their matching yard.
  2. Decide who goes first — usually the player who rolls the highest number.
  3. Play proceeds clockwise around the table.

Rolling the Dice

Ludo uses a single standard six-sided die. On your turn you roll once and then move a token. Special rules apply to the number 6:

  • Rolling a 6 — You may bring a new token out of the yard onto your starting square, or move an already-active token 6 spaces. After any 6 you get a bonus roll.
  • Three consecutive 6s — In many rule sets, rolling three 6s in a row ends your turn immediately and no move is made on the third roll.
  • No valid move — If you cannot legally move any token, your turn passes.

Moving Tokens

Tokens travel clockwise around the main track. After completing a full circuit, a token turns into its matching home column and advances toward the center.

Key movement rules:

  • A token must be on the board before it can move (requires a 6 to leave the yard).
  • You must move the exact number shown on the die.
  • You choose which of your active tokens to move each turn.
  • Two of your own tokens may not occupy the same square in standard rules (house rules may vary).

Capturing Opponents

If your token lands on a square occupied by an opponent’s token, the opponent’s token is captured and sent back to its yard. The captured player must roll a 6 again to re-enter that token.

Capturing does not apply on safe spaces. Tokens resting on a safe space are protected.

Safe Spaces

Safe spaces are designated squares on the board — typically the star-marked squares and each player’s starting square. A token sitting on a safe space cannot be captured. Knowing where the safe spaces are is critical to protecting your tokens during the race.

The Home Stretch

Once a token has traveled the full circuit of the main track, it enters the home column — a colored path exclusive to that player. Tokens in the home column are safe from capture.

To finish, a token must land on the center home space by exact count. If you roll a number larger than the remaining squares, you cannot move that token on that turn.

Winning the Game

The first player to move all four tokens into the center home space wins. In many casual games, play continues to determine second and third place.

Quick-Reference Rule Summary

Rule Detail
Players 2–4
Tokens per player 4
Dice 1 standard six-sided die
Start condition Roll a 6 to leave the yard
Bonus roll After every 6
Capture Land on opponent’s token (non-safe square)
Home entry Exact roll required
Win condition All 4 tokens in the center home area

Tips for New Players

  • Always bring out a new token when you roll a 6 early in the game — having more tokens in play gives you more options.
  • Use safe spaces to park tokens when opponents are close behind.
  • Pay attention to which opponents’ tokens are near yours; avoid leaving tokens exposed.
  • Read our full beginner strategy guide for deeper tactical advice.

Now that you know the rules, jump in and play a game!

Ready to play? Try Ludo for free on Rare Pike — no download needed.