Ludo rules: how to start a game
At the start of a game of Ludo, all the pawns are in their base and you need a 6 to bring one out. As long as nobody has a pawn out, each player rolls the die up to three times per turn. The first player to roll a 6 brings a pawn out, rolls again and moves forward. Here is how the start of a game works, step by step.
1. Pick your colour
Each player picks a colour: yellow, green, pink or cyan on Gameludo. They get the four pawns of that colour, placed in their base in the matching corner of the board. The starting square of that colour, right next to it, is where their pawns enter the track.
2. Decide who goes first
The rule is simple: each player rolls the die once, and the highest number goes first.
If there is a tie on the highest number, only the tied players roll again. The others are out of the draw. The tied players keep rolling until there is a single winner.
Example: Green rolls 5, Pink rolls 6, Cyan rolls 6 and Yellow rolls 2. Pink and Cyan are tied on 6, so only they roll again. Pink rolls 3 and Cyan rolls 4: Cyan goes first.
A tie on a lower number changes nothing: only a tie on the best score counts.
Play then goes clockwise, starting from the winner.
3. Roll up to three times to get a 6
This is the rule that surprises new players the most: a pawn can only leave its base on a 6.
To keep the start of the game from dragging on, each player gets three rolls per turn as long as no pawn is out yet:
- you roll the die;
- if you get a 6, you bring a pawn out;
- otherwise, you roll again, up to three times in total;
- after three tries without a 6, it is the next player's turn.
4. Bring your first pawn out and move
As soon as you roll a 6:
- bring a pawn out of your base and put it on the first free square of the track;
- roll the die again;
- move that pawn forward by the number shown.
A 6 lets you play twice in a row: it is one of the key moments of the game.
5. One roll per turn for everyone else
Once a player has a pawn out, the rule changes for everyone: the other players only get one roll per turn, even if they still have no pawn in play.
The first player to bring a pawn out therefore gets a temporary advantage: they move forward while their opponents wait for their 6. That advantage fades quickly, because a lone pawn on the track is also a target. Captures are explained in the article on the rules during the game.
Summary of the start of the game
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Choosing colours | 4 pawns per player, in their base |
| Who goes first | Highest roll; in case of a tie, the tied players roll again |
| While nobody is out | Up to 3 rolls per turn to get a 6 |
| On a 6 | Bring a pawn out, roll again and move it |
| Afterwards | One roll per turn for players with no pawn out |
Tips for a good start
- Don't lose heart if the 6 takes a while: on a single roll, you have a one-in-six chance of getting it. Three tries improve your odds a lot, but guarantee nothing.
- Think ahead: as soon as your first pawn is out, look at where your opponents' pawns are. The attacking strategies and defensive strategies will help you choose which pawn to move.
- Know the ending before you start: the goal is to get your four pawns into the home column. The end-of-game rules explain how to get there.
Now you know how a game starts: play Ludo online for free and go for your first 6!
Frequently asked questions
How many times can you roll the die at the start of a game of Ludo?
As long as no player has brought a pawn out, each player gets three rolls per turn to try to get a 6. As soon as one player has a pawn out, the others only get one roll per turn.
Do you need a 6 to bring a pawn out in Ludo?
Yes. A pawn can only leave its base on a 6. The player puts it on the first free square of the track, then rolls again to move it forward.
Who goes first in Ludo?
Each player rolls the die once and the highest number goes first. Play then continues clockwise.
What happens if there is a tie to decide who goes first?
Only the players tied on the highest number roll again. They keep rolling until there is a single winner, who starts the game.