Luck and clever tactics lead to victory. An entertaining game for 2 to 4 people.
Each player has four playing pieces of a particular colour.
Object of the game
The first player to move his 4 pieces around the board from his starting field to his home field (of the same colour) wins.
Each player chooses a colour and places the 4 pieces of that colour on the matching start field. Each player then throws the 2 dice. Whoever throws 2 sixes may place one of his pieces in the circle with the arrow. He may then throw again and move his piece the requisite number of squares (total of both dice).
Any player who succeeds in throwing a double six, may throw again. If, however, said player still has a piece on his starting field, he must place this one on the arrow. He must move this same piece with his second throw even if this means he knocks one of his own pieces off the board.
Each player must try to get his four pieces around the board as fast as possible and into the four home circles. You can only enter these circles by throwing the exact required number, if your throw does not enable you to place your pieces on one of the circles, even after counting back via the last circle, you forfeit your turn. At this point you run the risk of being knocked back to your home field by one of your opponents!
The number you throw with the double dice can be decided between two of your pieces. If, for example, you throw a 3 and a 4, either you can move one piece 3 squares and another piece 4 squares or you can move one piece 7 squares. With the exception of the “starting double six” (see above), you can not land on one of your own pieces.
You may jump over your own or your opponent’s pieces. Or (which you will find infinitely more fun!) your throw may enable you to land exactly on an opponent’s piece which will send him back to the beginning! THAT Player will then have to throw a double six before being able to start his piece off again.
Although ludo is usually played with 2 dice, you can also play with one. In this case, you must throw a six to start each piece.