Ludo House Rules and Variations Explained

Ludo has many house rules. Common ones include blocks (two tokens of the same colour that others cannot pass or capture), needing a capture before you can enter your home lane, letting a 1 as well as a 6 bring a token out, and playing in teams of two. None of these are wrong, but agreeing on them before the game avoids arguments. This guide explains the popular variations and which rules Ludo Live uses.

Popular house rules

Blocks

When two tokens of the same colour stand on one square they form a block. In this variation opponents cannot pass the block, and it cannot be captured. Blocks make the game more defensive and can slow it down a lot.

Capture before home

Some groups, especially in South Asia, require a player to capture at least one opponent token before any of their tokens may enter the coloured home lane. It makes the game more aggressive and longer.

A 1 or a 6 to start

To speed up the opening, some players allow a token out on a 1 as well as a 6.

No extra roll for a 6

Some families remove the bonus roll to keep turns short and fair for young children.

Bouncing back at the finish

Instead of needing an exact roll, a token that overshoots the centre moves back the extra squares. It keeps the endgame moving.

Team play

In four-player games, players sitting opposite each other become partners. A team wins when all eight of its tokens are home, and partners usually do not capture each other.

Safe squares or no safe squares

Some boards have no stars, so only start squares are safe. Others treat every coloured square as safe.

The rules Ludo Live uses

• A 6 brings a token out and gives another roll.
• Captures and bringing a token home also give another roll.
• Three 6s in a row lose the turn.
• Star squares and coloured start squares are safe.
• No blocks: tokens can share squares, and an opponent landing on a non-safe square captures every opposing token there.
• You need the exact number to reach the centre.
• Quick mode starts two tokens on the board and needs two home to win.

Using one standard set means players who meet online never have to argue about rules. You can try it free in Ludo Live.

Agreeing on rules at home

Before a board game at home, spend one minute agreeing on three things: what brings a token out, whether there are blocks, and whether you need an exact finish. Those three decide most disputes.

Frequently asked questions