The history of Ludo dates back to ancient India, where it was called Pachisi. In ancient times, shells were used in place of dice. However, with time, the game has evolved a lot, shells were replaced with dice, and the name Ludo came into existence. Over time, Ludo became quite popular in the board games genre and is played in almost every household.
Ludo’s popularity needs no introduction. The digital adaption of Ludo stirred excitement in the players, and many platforms launched a digital version of the game. Moreover, it has set the gaming platforms on fire as soon as it was launched. Millions of users registered from across the country to play the game.
The game has gained popularity worldwide with its simple yet skillful gameplay. Ludo’s gameplay is straightforward and is not tricky at all. Moreover, it becomes the sole reason why players of all ages and skill levels like to play the game. As many are aware, Ludo involves moving tokens according to the dice rolls. The goal is to bring all the tokens to the home position. Moreover, with very easy-to-understand rules make it a go-to game.
Also Read: Best Real Money Ludo Websites
As we said earlier, over the years, the game has evolved so much. It was modernized to fit the requirements of young gamers. Now, the game has many advanced game formats, themes, skill-based features, real-money gaming aspects, etc. This modernized evolution worked wonders with players of all skill levels.
Classic Ludo Rules
In the Ludo game, the objective is to bring all the tokens to the home position. With the help of dice rolls, the players move the tokens skilfully, avoiding opponent tokens to reach the home position. If you are new to Classic Ludo and its rules, we have you covered. Below, we have clearly curated the setup, gameplay, and rules for Ludo. Give them a read!
Setup
- In the basic Ludo setup, there will be 2 to 4 players, and each player gets four tokens to play.
- At the start of the game, the tokens are placed in the players’ respective home areas.
- Coming to the board layout is sectioned into four colors such as red, blue, green, and yellow.
- The tokens have to travel clockwise without being cut by the opponents and reach the home position.
- The primary goal is to move all four tokens into the home position.
- Each player must take a full circle around the board and reach the home position to win the game.
Gameplay
- Regarding gameplay, players roll the dice and move the tokens according to the number rolled.
- To enter the token in the game, the player must roll a six first.
- The token moves around the board in a clockwise direction. If one player’s token lands on another player’s token, the token is cut and sent back to its starting position.
Winning Conditions
The first player to move all his tokens into the home position by moving around the board is declared the winner.
Key Rules to Remember
- The player must roll a 6 to re-enter the token that is cut and sent to its starting point.
- Another key rule is that when a player rolls a six, he gets an extra run of the dice.
Popular Ludo Variations
As previously discussed, Ludo has many versions, easily designed to enhance replay value and strategy. The primary objective for launching these diverse formats is to make the game more engaging and enjoyable. It’s no exaggeration to say that these Ludo platforms have achieved remarkable success with their outstanding appeal. In this section, we will explore some popular Ludo variations.
1. Speed Ludo
Speed Ludo, as the name suggests, allows faster gameplay. Moreover, it is a dynamic version of the traditional Ludo. If you are an avid gamer who likes to play short-form game formats, Speed Ludo could be your ultimate choice. Though the gameplay remains the same, the tokens are reduced, which ultimately speeds up the game. Moreover, some versions may have more updated rules, which could also impact the speed of the game.
2. Team Ludo
Team Ludo is another variation of the classic Ludo that allows players to team up to strategize and win. In this version, the players are divided into two teams, and teammates play together to cut the tokens and win the game. Players protect each other’s tokens and move towards the home position to win the game.
3. Ludo with Power-Ups
Besides speed Ludo and Team Ludo, there is another special version of Ludo where power-ups are used to boost the gameplay. In this version, players can use power-ups to dice the roll more than once and attain more moves. This will further help the player reach the home position quickly. Also, the player will have special abilities that he can use to save his tokens from being killed.
4. Online & App-Based Variations
Other than the web Ludo version, the digital version of Ludo has also become quite popular. One such digital Ludo version that millions of Ludo players use is Ludo King. The app has allowed avid Ludo players to easily access the game. Though these versions have almost similar game rules and do not miss the traditional touch, the features you get there are totally upgraded and advanced. Moreover, the player can engage with international players through the digital platform like Ludo King.
While many features were introduced over a period in Ludo, the features that actually made the difference in the game were time limits. The time limits have speeded up the game and also made the game quite exciting to play. Moreover, bonus rules are introduced in the online gameplay where players get extra points for cutting the opponent’s token or rolling a six. The time limits and bonus rules made the game more interesting and also increased the replay value of the game.
Strategies for Success
Ludo is a skill-based game where the players have to use mindful strategies to bag the victory. Here, we have curated the list of strategies for success.
- To win in the Ludo game, the player must play strategically. First, he must plan the movement of the token strategically so that the token can either freely pass through the path and stay in the safe zone or cut the opponent’s token.
- Secondly, the player must block the opponent’s token so that it cannot advance further.
- Also, when a token is nearing the home position, use the majority of the moves to place it in the home position to avoid a last-minute cut.
- The player needs to know when to advance the token and when to keep it in the safe zone. The player must balance offense and defense effectively as a strategy to succeed in the game.
- Learn to be patient in the game, and when you roll a six, make sure to use it to enter a new token onto the board. This will help you in two ways. You can enter a new token on the board, or you can simply use the biggest number on the dice to quickly advance a token towards the home position.
Ludo Etiquette & Fun House Rules
The Ludo etiquette and fun house rules are discussed here. If you are new to these rules and etiquette, give it a read!
Friendly and Competitive Gameplay
- Ludo is a competitive gameplay, especially when rules get strict. However, it is essential to keep the environment fun without overdoing things that are overexerting in the game.
- Moreover, this could lead to a loss of game spirit. So, try to befriend your opponents and play in a friendly environment to double the fun and excitement of Ludo.
Custom Home Rules
- A few Ludo versions come with custom home rules that allow players to double-roll the dice. This is yet another exciting feature of the game. If the dice rolls a certain number, for example, 3, then the player can roll the dice once again.
- Another custom rule is to give an extra roll of dice to the player when cutting the opponent’s token.
- There is also a home rule where the player can onboard the tokens without rolling the six.
Etiquette for Online Games
- Online games get intense at any second, and it is important to maintain a respectful tone toward the opponent under any given circumstance to maintain etiquette.
Conclusion
Classic Ludo has long been a favorite among players of all ages. With a simple yet strategic objective to move all the tokens to the home position, the game won millions of hearts already. With a simple roll of dice, the player can start moving the tokens on the board clockwise. With the safe zones available all over the board to safeguard the tokens from getting captured, players can plan their moves strategically.
We encourage the Ludo players to try different variations of Ludo and experience diverse gameplays. Though the fundamental gaming remains the same, the advanced features in different variations change the overall experience of the players. If you are a Ludo player who is trying to experience all-new gaming, we recommend you try playing different variations.
In addition, players can visit LudoPlayer.com to discover more tips and strategies about Ludo. The official website hosts numerous tips and strategies for Ludo enthusiasts, which they can use to easily succeed in the game. Well, if you are an avid Ludo player and have tried different variations of it to date, tell us your favorite Ludo variation. We are anticipating hearing about your favorite Ludo variant.
FAQs
What are the basic rules of Ludo?
Players move pieces based on dice rolls, aiming to bring all tokens to the home base while avoiding getting captured by opponents.
What is the fastest version of Ludo?
Speed Ludo is a popular fast-paced variation with fewer tokens or modified rules to shorten gameplay.
Can Ludo be played in teams?
Yes, in Team Ludo, players team up to combine strategies and work towards a common goal.
Leave a Reply