How to Play Ludo
Ludo is a classic board game for 2 to 4 players. Each player has four tokens that start in their coloured yard. The goal is to race all four tokens around the board and into your home triangle before your opponents.
The Board
The board has four coloured yards in each corner, one for each player:
- Red — bottom-left
- Green — top-left
- Yellow — top-right
- Blue — bottom-right
A shared track of 52 squares runs around the outside of the board. Each player also has a private coloured home path of 6 squares leading to the home triangle in the centre.
Getting Started
- Tap the dice to roll. Players take turns in order: Red, Green, Yellow, Blue.
- You must roll a 6 to move a token out of your yard and onto the starting square.
- If you have no tokens on the board and don't roll a 6, your turn is skipped.
Tip: When you have only one possible move, the app will move the token automatically to keep the game flowing.
Moving Tokens
- After rolling, tap the token you want to move. It advances clockwise by the number shown on the dice.
- If multiple tokens can move, they will glow to indicate they are selectable. Tap the one you want to move.
- Tokens travel around the shared track and then turn into their coloured home path to reach the centre.
Bonus Rolls
You get an extra roll in these situations:
- Roll a 6 — roll again after moving.
- Capture an opponent — roll again after sending them back.
- Reach home — roll again when a token enters the home triangle.
Three 6s Rule: If you roll three 6s in a row, your turn is voided and passes to the next player. No token is moved for that sequence.
Capturing Opponents
If your token lands on a square occupied by a single opponent token, that token is captured and sent back to their yard. They must roll a 6 again to bring it back out.
Tokens cannot be captured when they are:
- On a safe square (marked with a star on the board) — there are 8 safe squares around the track.
- Stacked with another token of the same colour — two or more tokens on the same square are protected.
- On their home path — the coloured lane leading to the centre is private and safe.
Reaching Home
- After going around the board, your token turns into your coloured home path (6 squares long).
- You must roll the exact number needed to land in the home triangle. If the roll is too high, the token cannot move.
- Once a token reaches home, it's safe and finished for the rest of the game.
Winning the Game
The first player to get all four tokens home wins! The game continues to determine 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place.
Game Controls
Playing a Turn
- Tap the dice — the dice will roll with an animation.
- Tap a glowing token — if you have multiple options, movable tokens will glow. Tap the one you want.
- If only one token can move, it moves automatically.
Computer players take their turns automatically with a brief thinking delay.
Menu & Saving
- Tap the menu button (top-left corner) to return to the main menu.
- Your offline game is saved automatically when you leave.
- Choose "Continue Game" from the main menu to resume.
- Starting a "New Offline Game" will replace your saved game.
Setting Up a Game
Offline Game
- From the main menu, tap "New Offline Game".
- For each colour (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue), tap to toggle between Human and Computer.
- You must have at least one Human player.
- Tap "Start Game" to begin.
Tip: For a solo game, set Red to Human and the rest to Computer. For a game night with friends, set multiple players to Human and pass the device between turns.
Online Multiplayer — Room Code
Play with friends using a simple room code. No need to be Game Center friends!
- Tap "Create Online Game" from the main menu.
- A unique 6-character room code is generated (e.g.
8F37VS).
- Choose your colour using the colour picker.
- Tap "Share Code" to send the code via Messages, AirDrop, or any app. The code is also copied to your clipboard.
- Your friends tap "Join Online Game" and enter the code.
- The game auto-starts when all 4 human players join. Or tap "Start Game" early and remaining slots are filled with AI.
Tip: You can also tap on the code card to quickly copy it to your clipboard.
Mid-Game Late Join
Friends can join even after the game has started!
- The host can enable or disable late joins using the toggle in the lobby.
- When a new player joins mid-game, the host gets a prompt to approve and choose which AI player to replace.
- The joining player takes over the AI's colour and position seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Game Center to play online?
Yes, online multiplayer uses Game Center for matchmaking. If you're a guest, the app will prompt you to sign into Game Center when you tap "Create Online Game" or "Join Online Game". You can sign in under Settings > Game Center on your device.
What's the difference between Guest and Sign in with Apple?
Guest mode lets you play offline games immediately without an account. Sign in with Apple provides a personalised experience with your name displayed in-game. Both support full offline gameplay. Online multiplayer requires Game Center regardless of sign-in method.
Why was my turn skipped?
Your turn can be skipped for two reasons:
- No valid moves — none of your tokens can legally move with the number rolled (e.g., all tokens are in the yard and you didn't roll a 6, or your tokens on the home path need a lower number).
- Three consecutive 6s — rolling three 6s in a row voids the entire turn as a penalty.
Why can't I capture a token on a star square?
Star squares are safe zones. Any token resting on a star square is protected from capture. There are 8 safe squares evenly spaced around the track. Use them strategically to protect your tokens.
Why can't I capture two tokens stacked together?
When two or more tokens of the same colour are on the same square, they form a stack and are protected from capture. You'll need to wait until they split up.
My token can't enter home. Why?
To enter the home triangle, you need to roll the exact number of remaining squares on your home path. If the dice roll is too high, the token stays where it is and you must try again on your next turn.
How do I delete my account?
If you're signed in with Apple, you can delete your account from the main menu. Tap "Delete Account" at the bottom of the game mode screen and confirm. This permanently removes all your game data, saved games, and signs you out.
Is my data secure?
Yes! All game data is stored locally on your device. We don't collect, store, or transmit any personal information to external servers. Sign in with Apple is handled securely by Apple's authentication systems.