Introduction to the Ludo Game

Ludo is a strategic board game that is beloved by everyone. This game is for two to four players, in which the players race their four tokens from start to finish according to the roll of a single die. This game is enjoyed individually or in teams. Like other cross and circle games, this widely popular game originated in India and may be played online and offline. Ludo game development cost in india is very low and there are many apps where you can play ludo online. This is very simple and played by everyone and suitable for all ages and also enjoyed by them. Learning ludo is very simaple but challenging to master, thanks to the bright board and simple rules. 

The goal of the ludo game is to move all four tokens in clockwise directions, once around the board, up the home column, and into the home triangle. 

History of Ludo Game

Pachisi the ancient time played game was created in India in the sixth century CE. This game was modified to use a cubic dice with a dice cup and was named “ludo” in England in 1896. The Royal Navy took the game ludo and converted it into the board game named Uckers. 

However, to get started, it is important to understand the detailed ludo rules that enable players to play games more strategically. With centuries of tradition being ludo, you will surely become a fan as well !! 

Equipment used for Play a Ludo Game

A Ludo board is square in shape and has cross-shaped playspace with each arm of the cross having three columns of squares, six per column. The middle columns have five squares colored, these represent a player's home column. There is one more square not on the home column is a player's starting square, the sixth square.  At the center of the board, there is a large finishing square, composed of colored triangles at the top of the players' home columns. 

Each player chooses one of the four colors (green, yellow, red, or blue) and places the four tokens of that color in the corresponding starting circle. 

There is a single dice which is thrown to determine the movements. 

Rules for Playing Ludo Game

1st Rule:- The game starts with each player choosing a set of four tokens (usually their color is red, yellow, blue, or green) and placing those tokens on the square board. 

2nd Rule:- The main objective of the game is to move all four tokens around the board and return them to the starting square before your opponent player. 

3rd Rule:- On each turn, players roll the dice to determine how many spaces they can move their token. 

4th Rule:- The number on each dice can represent how many spaces can be moved by their token. For example, if a player rolls a 4, they can move a token by 4 spaces on the board. 

5th Rule:- Tokens can only move in the forward direction, never backward. 

6th Rule:- Tokens always move in a clockwise direction, the highest throw of the dice starts. 

7th Rule:- If a token lands on a square that is already occupied by an opponent’s token, it can “knock off” the token and send it back to the opponent’s starting square. Eliminating an opponent’s token also earns an additional turn. 

8th Rule:- if a token lands upon a token of the same color, this forms a block, and that block cannot be passed or landed on by any other opponent’s token. 

9th Rule:- A piece can only be moved to a square that is empty or occupied by an opponent's piece.

10th Rule:- If a player rolls a dice and gets 6 then that player gets one more chance to throw a dice. 

11th Rule:- If anyone’s 3 tokens reach home, only one token is left then that player only moves the spaces remaining. For Example, if the remaining spaces are 2 and the player gets 3 then He/She is not allowed to move the token the dice will be passed to the next player, He/She is only allowed to move 2 spaces when they get 1 or 2 on their dice. 

12th Rule:- If a player has no tokens on the board, they can only roll the dice and try to get six, which helps them to enter a token into play. 

13th Rule:- The game will end when one player puts all four tokens on the home. That player is the winner of the game. 

Gameplay of Ludo

Each player rolls the dice according to their turn then the highest roller begins the game. To enter the token into play the player has to roll six on the dice. Players can draw a token every time they get 6 on their dice according to their needs like they want a new token into play otherwise move 6 spaces of any token. If the player has no tokens yet in the play and role other than 6 then the dice is passed to the next player. 

Players only move a token according to their dice rolled. Once a player has one or more tokens in play then they select a token according to their needs and move it forward along the track with the number of squares indicated by the dice. If a token lands on a square that is already occupied by an opponent’s token, then the token of the opponent player gets back to the opponent’s starting square. This forces the opponent to roll another 6 to take it out of their home and move it again. Eliminating an opponent’s token also gives an additional turn to us.

If a token lands on a spot that is already occupied by a token of the same color, then they both create something that is called a "block". If an opponent’s token lands on the same spot as the block, then the token is placed at that square and the block is cracked but all 3 tokens are safe and placed there only, all three tokens are unsafe and moved to their respective home when any other color token lands on that square.  

If a player cannot draw a token from home, rolling a 6 gives the player an extra chance to throw means a bonus of one extra chance. And if the bonus rolls another six then the player earns an additional bonus chance. But if the third roll is also six then the player cannot move the 6 spaces and the dice is immediately passed to the next player. The Player's home square board is always safe, meaning no opponent’s token will enter there. In the home column, a player cannot jump over. After a rotation is completed, the token enters the home square board and wants the exact number to be rolled needed to get into the triangle home board. 

Now let’s understand the rules of playing ludo online. These rules help you a lot in playing Ludo online. 

Rules for Playing Ludo Game Online

Most of the rules of playing ludo are the same, though some variations may have slightly different rules depending on the specific online game played. For Example, some ludo game apps give bonus turns when we rolled 6 but some apps might not give the bonus chance. For better understanding, it is important to read the instructions given by the specific app. Here are some basic key points which help you to understand how to play ludo online. 

1.    Number of players 

Ludo is a game designed for 2-4 players but in some ludo game apps, 2-6 players can play. Each player chooses a different color set of 4 tokens. According to the ludo board game rules, players must plot a route for all 4 tokens from start to home base faster than the opponent. 

2.    Starting the Game

Each player rolls a dice to determine the starting player which starts the game. Tokens must be entered into the game by rolling 6 on their dice. The turn of tokens must be taken clockwise by the player, rolling the dice and moving tokens according to the number rolled. 

3.    Token Movement

The token must be moved forward only, not backward in any case, and also the token moves in a clockwise direction only. 

4.    Bonus of Turns

According to the ludo playing rules, if a player rolls 6 then gets an extra chance for rolling a dice. Eliminating a player also gives an extra chance of rolling a dice. 

5.    Eliminating Opponents Token

Landing on a space that is occupied by any opponent’s token that returns the token of the opponent to the home starting area. The opponent must roll a 6 to re-enter the board, giving the eliminating player a tactical advantage. 

6.    Safe Zone of Ludo

Safe zones are designed spaces where opponents connote capture. As per the rules and regulations of ludo board games, the spaces that are included are starting positions and specific marked spaces on the board. Moreover, tokens in the Ludo Safe Zone are protected until they move again. 

7.    Leading your Tokens Home

To win the game, a player must navigate all four tokens from start to finish. Tokens move to the home after completing the round of a board. Players must roll the exact number required to move a token into the final home space on the board. The game will end when one player puts all four tokens on the home. That player is the winner of the game. 

Platforms where you can play Ludo

There are various platforms where you can play Ludo where you can play ludo. Let’s discuss some of them here. 

1.    Big Cash Ludo - Has 40 Million+ downloads.

2.    Ludo King - Has 1 billion+ downloads.

3.    Gamzey - Has 50 Million+ downloads.

4.    Pytam First Games - Has 1 Million+ downloads.

5.    Ludo Empire - Has 1 Million+ downloads.

6.    Ludo Skills - Has 20 Million+ downloads.

7.    Mobile Premier League - Has 10 Million+ downloads.

8.    Ludo Ninja - Has 10 Million+ downloads.

9.    Ludo Fantasy - Has 20 Million+ downloads.

10. Ludo Supreme - Has 10 Million+ downloads.

Conclusion 

Ludo is a timeless game that offers both fun and strategic gameplay. Whether you play offline with your friends and family members or you play online with other players from around the world, friends and family members. Mastering the rules and strategy of ludo brings hours of entertainment.

Hope this article on ludo game rules helped you to understand the game better. There are many ludo game development companies that make online apps for playing ludo. So, roll the dice and embark on an exciting ludo adventure.