How to play Ludo: rules for families

Setting up

Two to four players each choose a colour and put four counters in their corner (the yard). Take turns rolling one die, going clockwise.

Getting started

You need a six to bring a counter out onto your start square. Rolling a six also gives you another roll. In Bapu's Arcade, the Easy level is gentler: each player has two counters, and a one or a six brings one out.

Moving and capturing

• Move one counter forward by the number rolled.
• Land exactly on an opponent's counter to capture it and send it back to their yard, and you roll again.
• Start squares and star squares are safe: nobody can be captured there.
• Two of your counters on the same square make a pair that cannot be captured.
• Roll three sixes in a row and your turn ends.

Getting home

After going round the board, each counter turns up its own coloured column to the centre. You need the exact number to get home. Getting a counter home earns another roll, and the first player with every counter home wins.

Playing Ludo together for free

Bapu's Arcade has free Ludo with no adverts. Play against Bapu at four difficulty levels, take turns on one phone, or each play on your own phone in the same room: one person makes a room and the others join with a four-letter code.

Common questions