The origin of one of the most popular games in India and the world – Ludo – goes back to 3300 BC. Created in the late Victorian time and patented by an Englishman, Ludo is the simplification of the ancient Indian game Pachisi. Easy to learn, the classic game is fun for people of all ages. A board game with centuries of tradition behind it has found its way to online platforms with the advancement of technology. From playing board games with family and friends at home to competing with thousands of players on a smartphone through Ludo download apps, Ludo has had a massive evolutionary journey.
Many people have bonded with their family and friends over a game of Ludo, and thanks to the pandemic induced lockdown, many have now passed down the gaming skills to their kids and grandkids. What seemed like a pastime during vacations and evenings inadvertently imparted many life skills in young people, as the game mirrors our everyday lives. While both facets of the game offer different experiences, both remain the same in the core, with the same rules. If you have not played the game and are starting the online version, this article will help you get acquainted with the game’s rules.
Rules of Ludo
If you have played the Ludo game earlier, you wouldn’t have much trouble playing it online as the same rules apply to the online version as well. If you are a novice player and would like to know the rules before you begin the endless hours of fun, the following are the rules of the game that would help you succeed in the game.
- Gameplay: This game can be played by 2 to 4 players who place their respective pieces in their bases. Each takes turns throwing the dice though some games start with red by default. The turns move in a clockwise direction, with the number of the dice determining how many steps to move forward. The goal of the game is to move all four pieces around the board, up the column and into the home triangle.
- Movement: To begin, a player must roll a 6 to get a piece out of the base stations. The piece that comes out is the piece in play. The player can make moves only if at least one piece is active. The active piece can move from 1 to 6 paces along the path depending on the number they roll.
- Rule of 6’s: Each time a six is rolled, the player gets to decide whether to take a piece out of the base or to move the piece that is in play. Every time a six is rolled, the player who rolled it gets an extra throw. If a six is rolled three times in a row, the player loses their turn.
- Landing on Pieces: If a player lands on the piece of an opponent, the piece dies and is sent back to the base. The player must roll another 6 for the player to come out of the base and play. If a piece lands on the space occupied by the same colour piece, they form a block that doesn’t allow the opponent’s piece to land on it or cross it. There are eight squares marked with a star mark. These are designated resting areas where two pieces of different colours can rest in the same block without one killing the other.
- Winning the Game: A piece has to circumnavigate the board to enter the home column of the same colour to win. When a player’s piece has reached the home column of the same colour, it continues to move towards the centre of its home triangle. When a player’s piece lands in the home triangle of the same colour, it has completed its journey. A piece can, however, move into the home triangle when the exact number is rolled by the dice. The first player to move all four of their pieces to the home triangle is declared the winner. The remaining players can continue playing to determine the runner up.
Strategising in Ludo
As intended, the game is a simple race that doesn’t require much strategy. Most of the time, the movement of pieces is either irrelevant or obvious. However, there are some tactics that are worth considering. Firstly, the player should try to maximise their choices as much as possible. It is better to have more than one piece in the open, as having a single piece leaves the player at the complete mercy of the throw of the die. It renders any occasional tactics that might influence the game moot. Second, maintain at least more than six paces difference between your and the opponent’s pieces as it becomes vulnerable to capture. Surpass an opponent’s piece only if it takes you into your home column or if it takes you out of the immediate reach of the opponent.
The game, as promised, is simple enough for anyone to understand with ease. So what are you waiting for? Download Ludo game apps and start having fun.
