How to Play Ludo: Making It Interesting and Fun!

Kids playing Ludo at Roll the Dice Traditional Board Games

Introduction

Ludo, a board game for two to four players, has its roots in ancient India and has since spread across the globe, captivating millions with its simple yet strategic gameplay. The objective of the game is to 

move all four of your tokens from the starting area to the home triangle by rolling a six-sided die.

Buy an Indian Ludo (Pagade) Set

Understanding the Ludo Board

The Ludo board is divided into four colored sections: red, green, yellow, and blue. Each section has a starting area (also known as a yard) with four tokens. The tokens move around the board based on the roll of a die, with the goal of reaching the home triangle in the center of the board.

The ludo board game set from Roll the Dice makes it very intuitive to learn how to play Ludo.

The Basics of Ludo

Step 1: Rolling the Die

Each player rolls the die; the highest roller starts the game. Players then take turns clockwise.

Step 2: Moving the Tokens

To move a token out of the starting area onto the board, you must roll a six. Each subsequent roll determines how many spaces a token can move. Tokens move clockwise around the board.

Step 3: Capturing Opponent's Tokens

If your token lands on a space occupied by an opponent's token, the opponent's token is returned to their starting area. To re-enter the game, they must roll a six.

Step 4: Reaching Home

To move tokens to the home triangle, you need to roll the exact number to reach. Once all four tokens reach home, you win the game.

Making Ludo Fun and Interesting

Set Challenges

Introduce mini-challenges within the game to make it more exciting. For example, if a player captures an opponent's token, the opponent must perform a fun task, like singing a song or telling a joke.

Team Play

Playing Ludo in teams can make the game more strategic and collaborative. You can form teams of two, with each player controlling two tokens. This can lead to interesting strategies and alliances.

House Rules

Introduce your own house rules to add a unique twist to the game. For example, a rule that allows a token to move backwards or a rule that requires a player to capture an opponent's token before entering home.

Advanced Strategies

Blocking Opponents

You can block your opponents by placing two of your tokens on the same space. Opponents cannot pass this blockade unless they capture one of your tokens. This is very similar to the concepts of 'jodi' and 'gatti' in 'Chowka Bara'.

Forming Barriers

Strategically place your tokens to form barriers, making it difficult for your opponents to progress.

Optimizing Token Movement

Try to spread out your tokens on the board. This gives you more options and increases your chances of capturing an opponent's token.

And while ...

Ludo is a game of luck, strategy, and anticipation. It's a game that brings people together and creates memorable moments. So, roll the die, move your tokens, and remember - the most important thing is to have fun!

Roll the Dice's Ludo board is coming soon.

Do checkout our other board games in the meanwhile.

Buy an Indian Ludo (Pagade) Set

An illustration of Ludo pawns having a light moment amongst themselves after a hard day's work