Ludo Game Rules

Ludo is a classic board game loved for generations. Invented in India, it’s now played worldwide. Whether you played during summer vacations with family or in a friendly competition, Ludo is full of excitement. Remember the thrill of rolling a six or sending someone’s token back to the start?

The game is simple - roll the dice, move your tokens, and race to get them home before anyone else. Ludo is for 2 to 4 players, and while the Ludo rules are easy, strategy makes a big difference in winning.

Originally called “Pachisi” in ancient India, Ludo has a rich history but is fun for all ages today. The best part? It’s now available to play online, so you can enjoy the game anytime, anywhere - whether you're at home, with friends, or even competing against players around the world. Let's look at the ludo game rules for quick recap of this game.

Ready to roll?

Know the Basic Ludo Rules

While playing ludo on a physical board game, there are a set of ludo game rules players to follow. These rules are also applicable to online ludo games. However, many online ludo games may include twists in rules to make the game fast-paced and more challenging but the basic rules remain the same.

• All four tokens of the same color start in the home base.
• To release a token from the home base to the starting point, roll a 6 (or sometimes 1) on the die.
• Ludo can be played by 2 to 4 players.
• Roll the die and move your token forward by the number shown. For example, if you roll a 4, move your token 4 steps.
• The goal is to move all your tokens to the end tile, called “home,” while avoiding opponents.
• If an opponent lands on your tile, your token goes back to the start.
• To capture an opponent's token, your token must land on their tile.
• Each token must travel the full track to reach the home end zone.
• The first player to get all four tokens to the end wins the game.
  
   

Equipment Involved in Ludo

Understand the setup and ludo board game instructions before playing Ludo online.

Ludo Game Board

The Ludo board is a square with a cross-shaped path divided into four colored zones: red, green, blue, and yellow. Each zone has a starting area, a home column, and a center square, which is the final goal. Players move their tokens clockwise around the board. Safe zones, marked with stars or other shapes, are spots where tokens cannot be captured by the opponent.
 

Ludo Tokens

Each player has four same coloured pieces. Before starting the game, the tokens are placed in their respective home space. Most Ludo boards will have open spaces, one for each token. The colours might not necessarily be red, yellow, blue, or green but match the home squares.

Ludo Dice Rules

The Ludo board game uses a regular die. It has six sides and numbers from 1 to 6. Ludo is typically played with a single die, although some versions use two dice. The die decides the token movements.

How To Play Ludo Games As Per Ludo Rules?

Now, let's understand how to play Ludo online and offline. The ludo rules may slightly vary for both. Once you have learnt the simple ludo game rules and understood the Ludo gameplay, you can strategize better to play the game and win. 
 

Objective

The objective of the game is for all players to take all their tokens to the endpoint. As per the ludo rules, the first player to achieve this objective wins the game.

Gameplay

Each player picks a color and places their four tokens in the matching home base. In offline Ludo, you need to roll a 6 to unlock your tokens and start playing. In online Ludo, like MPL’s Ludo, tokens are already unlocked, and you can start right away. The game can be played by 2 to 4 players, with everyone using their own tokens.

Turns go clockwise, and players roll the die to move their tokens. The number on the die tells how many steps to move. For example, if you roll a 1, move one step forward. The goal is to move all your tokens to the home zone. The first player to get all four tokens home wins the game. 
 

Strategy

In Ludo, players take turns rolling dice to move their tokens in a clockwise direction. You can capture an opponent’s token by landing on the same square, sending their token back to the start. To win, you need to land on all your opponent's tokens at least once and reach the center of the board. A good Ludo strategy is key, as it helps you plan your moves, avoid getting blocked, and stay ahead in the game.
 

Winning in Ludo

Once a player has all four pawns around the board and has captured an opponent's pawn, they can enter their home. Winning in Ludo means getting all four pawns safely into the home. The first player to do this wins the game.

How To Play Ludo Game on MPL?

Here's a simple guide on the Ludo game how to play on MPL.

1. The first step is to download ludo apk MPL app and create an account. Existing users can log in using their phone numbers. You can go to the Ludo page on the MPL website and scan the QR code to download the app.
2. Once logged in, navigate to the Ludo section and choose your preferred variant - Ludo Win, Ludo Dice, or Ludo 2 Dice.
3. If you are new to Ludo or want to refresh your memory, watch the tutorial provided within the app to understand the game's rules and mechanics.
4. MPL also offers instructional videos on how to play Ludo effectively.
5. Beginners can start with free Ludo games to practice and learn the Ludo gameplay for the different variants available.
6. MPL offers various lobbies with different entry fees and prize pools. Choose one that matches your preferences and skill level.
7. Once you have selected a lobby, join a game by tapping on it and confirming your entry.
8. Once the game starts, follow the rules of ludo game to play.
9. The player with the higher score at the end wins the game.
10. MPL also hosts Ludo tournaments and leaderboards for Ludo players. Look for these events to compete against others and win bigger prizes.

Ludo Variants on MPL

Let's take a look at different Ludo Variants on the MPL app, which take excitement to a whole new level. Choose the game variant you prefer and review the rules for playing ludo!

Ludo Rules for Ludo Win

Ludo Win offers an entertaining experience where the players must strategize their moves wisely to defeat the opponents.

• There are limited moves to play and win the game.
• Each player gets four tokens.
• There's no die in the Ludo Win game. Instead, there are numbers at the bottom of the screen, so each player knows the upcoming number and can strategize their moves accordingly.
• Players score points with every move. Extra points are rewarded upon capturing the opponent's token and reaching the endpoint.
• The player with the higher score at the end of the game wins.
• If a player misses three turns, the game ends for that player.
• Ludo Win offers free practice games and ludo real cash games to win real cash prizes.

Ludo Rules for Ludo Dice

Ludo Dice is an exciting twist on the classic Ludo game and offers more challenge and strategy:

• Ludo Dice is played with four tokens.
• There is a time limit to the game, which is four minutes.
• The aim is to outscore opponents before the time ends.
• The goal is to score higher than opponents.
• Players score points with every move.
• If a player misses three turns, the game ends for that player.
• Rolling a six in the game grants you an extra chance.
• Capturing opponent tokens fetches you more points.
• Reaching home with tokens increases the points.

Ludo Rules for Ludo Dice 2

Another exciting Ludo variant on MPL is Ludo Dice 2. Here are the ludo rules to play Ludo Dice 2:

• This game is played between two to four players and has a time limit of 6 minutes.
• There are two dice used in the game.
• Each time you roll the dice, you receive two moves instead of one.
• You can use the two moves on a single token or split between two tokens.
• To make a move, you select the token you want to move and tap on it.
• There are no extra moves awarded for rolling a 6.
• Like the other two variants, the players score points with every move.
• Tokens reaching the home column score higher points.
• Extra points are rewarded for capturing opponents' tokens.
• Players get an extra turn for capturing tokens and reaching the endpoint.
• The game ends at the end of the timer, and the player with the higher score wins.

Ludo Rules for Ludo 100x

Ludo 100x on MPL takes the classic game to the next level by offering up to 100 times your entry amount, with strategic gameplay and the option to cash out after each turn.

• Roll the dice to move your pawn around the board.
• As you move, your winnings multiplier increases.
• If your pawn lands on a bomb, you lose all your winnings.
• After each roll, you can choose to cash out and secure your winnings or continue for higher rewards.
• Keep playing to increase your rewards, but be careful not to hit a bomb.
• The game ends when you cash out or land on a bomb.
• If you cash out, you collect the winnings based on your progress so far.

FAQs

How many players can play Ludo?

Ludo is usually played with 2 to 4 players, adding to the fun with friends or family. Each player competes to get all their tokens to the finish line first.

What are the Ludo rules for 6 in Ludo?

As per the ludo rules, if a 6 is rolled, a player can choose to move a token in play or move a token out of the home base to the starting point. The player also gets an extra turn on rolling a 6. If a player rolls three sixes in a row, their turn ends, they forfeit their remaining moves, and the turn passes to the next player. This rule prevents players from monopolizing the game by continuously rolling high numbers.

What are the rules for 2 dice Ludo?

Here are the ludo rules to play Ludo Dice 2:

• This game is played between two to four players and has a time limit of 6 minutes.
• There are two dice used in the game.
• Each time you roll the dice, you receive two moves instead of one.
• You can use the two moves on a single token or split between two tokens.
• To make a move, you select the token you want to move and tap on it.
• There are no extra moves awarded for rolling a 6.
• Like the other two variants, the players score points with every move.
• Tokens reaching the home column score higher points.
• Extra points are rewarded for capturing opponents' tokens.
• Players get an extra turn for capturing tokens and reaching the endpoint.
• The game ends at the end of the timer, and the player with the higher score wins.

Is Ludo a skill-based game or a luck-based game?

Skill plays a major role in Ludo games. The ludo gameplay is all about strategizing how to move your tokens effectively, blocking and capturing opponents, and making optimal use of opportunities.

How to play Ludo game and win always?

A few tips on ludo how to play and win include:

• Prioritize getting your tokens out of the starting area as soon as possible.
• Spread your tokens out to cover more ground and increase your chances of landing in safe zones.
• Use strategic blocking to hinder opponents' progress and protect your tokens.
• Keep track of opponents' tokens and plan your moves to capture them whenever possible.
• Be flexible and adjust your strategy based on the current game situation.
• Try to create multiple potential pathways for your tokens to reach the home zone.

What are safe zones in Ludo?

As per the ludo game rules, safe zones are areas on the Ludo board where opponents cannot capture tokens. These safe zones are located just outside the starting area and within the home column of each player's colour. Tokens in safe zones are immune to being sent back to the starting area by opponents' tokens.

What are the Ludo rules for 3 sixes?

In MPL's Ludo game, if you roll three sixes in a row, your turn is automatically skipped, and your three sixes become invalid. This rule is designed to prevent players from gaining too much of an advantage by rolling a sequence of sixes consecutively. So, while rolling a six multiple times can be a powerful move, landing three in a row means you lose your chance to move and hand the turn over to the opponen