Ludo rules: how to play, turn by turn
During a game of Ludo, each player rolls the die in turn and moves one of their pawns by the number rolled. A 6 lets you bring out a new pawn, a pawn that lands on an opponent sends it back to its base, and you need an exact roll to get into the home column. Here is each rule in detail.
Moving your pawns
On every turn:
- roll the die;
- choose one of your pawns that is already in play;
- move it forward by the number of squares shown on the die.
Pawns go around the board along the track until they reach the entrance of their home column, then move up towards the centre along the column of their colour. You are free to choose which pawn to move: that is where strategy and a bit of counting come in.
The 6: bringing out a new pawn
Rolling a 6 is always good news, but it comes with an obligation:
- if you still have pawns in your base, you must bring one out and put it on the first free square of the track;
- you then roll again;
- and you must move the pawn you have just brought out.
So you cannot use a 6 to move another pawn as long as your base is not empty.
If all your pawns are already out, the 6 becomes a normal move: you move the pawn of your choice 6 squares forward.
Capturing an opponent's pawn
This is the rule that makes the game exciting: if your pawn stops on a square occupied by an opponent's pawn, that pawn goes back to its base. Its owner will need another 6 to bring it out and start the whole journey again.
A capture can cost an opponent many turns, especially if their pawn was nearly home. On the other hand, any of your pawns can suffer the same fate: a pawn that is 6 squares or fewer in front of an opponent is exposed. The defensive strategies explain how to limit that risk.
Getting into the home column: the exact roll
After going around the board, a pawn reaches the entrance of its home column, in the centre of the board. To get in:
- the number on the die must exactly match the number of squares left;
- if the number is higher, the pawn cannot get in: it stays where it is and waits for the next turn.
You can of course use that roll to move another pawn.
You can't jump over a pawn in the home column
The home column has several positions. A pawn that is already there blocks the way for pawns of its colour:
Example: your first pawn is on the 3rd position of the home column and a second one is waiting at the entrance. If the die shows more than the number of squares needed to reach the spot just behind the first pawn, the second pawn cannot get in. You can't move past a pawn that is already in the home column.
Hence an important tip, explained in the end-of-game rules: move your first pawns as deep into the home column as possible to leave room for the next ones.
Choosing the right pawn to move
As long as you respect the number shown on the die, you move the pawn that best serves your tactics. On every roll, ask yourself three questions:
- Can I capture an opponent's pawn? If so, it is often the best move.
- Is one of my pawns under threat? Moving it out of the danger zone can save it.
- Can I get into the home column, or closer to it? A pawn that is safe can no longer be captured.
Summary of the rules during the game
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Normal roll | Move one pawn by the number rolled |
| 6 with pawns in your base | Bring a pawn out, roll again and move that pawn |
| 6 with no pawn in your base | Move the pawn of your choice 6 squares |
| Landing on an opponent | The opponent's pawn goes back to its base |
| Getting into the home column | An exact roll is required |
| Pawn already in the home column | You can't move past it |
To review how a game begins, read the rules for starting a game. And to put all this into practice, play Ludo for free against three bots.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when you land on an opponent's square in Ludo?
The opponent's pawn goes back to its base. It will need another 6 to come out and start its whole journey again.
Do you have to bring a pawn out when you roll a 6?
Yes, as long as you still have pawns in your base. You bring one out, roll again and must move that pawn. If all your pawns are already in play, you can use the 6 to move the pawn of your choice.
Do you need an exact roll to get home in Ludo?
Yes. The number on the die must exactly match the number of squares left. If it is higher, the pawn does not move and waits for a later turn.
Can you choose which pawn to move?
Yes. As long as you move the number of squares shown on the die, you move whichever pawn suits you best. The only exception is the 6, which forces you to bring a pawn out if you still have one in your base.