Sending a rival's token back to base right before it reaches home never stops feeling good. Ludo unblocked brings the old family dice race to your browser, with computer opponents at three skill levels or a hotseat mode for friends sharing one screen.
This version is part of Christopher Müller's open-source PaperGames set. It was designed with plain black-and-white screens in mind, so the four sides are told apart by shape: filled circles, rings, squares and triangles.
How to play Ludo
You start with four tokens in your corner base. On your turn you roll, then choose which token moves that many squares. Only a 6 lets a token out of base, and a 6 earns you a bonus roll. Roll three 6s in a row, though, and your turn ends.
Tokens go clockwise around the outer track and then turn up their own lane toward the center, which needs an exact roll to enter. Land on a lone rival token and it goes back to base. Starting squares and the diamond squares are safe, and two of your tokens on one square make a block nobody can pass.
Get all four tokens to the center first to win. You can set up a match with two to four players, pick your token and choose Easy, Medium or Hard for the computer.
Controls
| To… | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll the die | — | Click "Roll" | Tap "Roll" |
| Move a token | Tab to the token's square (arrow keys move across the board), then Enter | Click the token you want to move | Tap the token you want to move |
| Take back your last move | — | Click "Undo" | Tap "Undo" |
| Set up a game | — | Pick vs Computer or Local hotseat, players, your token and level, then click "New game" | Pick vs Computer or Local hotseat, players, your token and level, then tap "New game" |
| Give up the current game | — | Click "Resign" | Tap "Resign" |
Tips
- Keep options open. Having two or three tokens on the track means every roll has a useful move.
- Check six squares behind you. Any rival within that range can hit you next turn, so stepping out of reach often beats racing ahead.
- Park on diamonds. When an opponent is chasing you, a safe square ends the threat for free.
- Block the leader. Two tokens side by side on one square can stall a player who is close to home.
- Save a spare token for the finish. Exact rolls are needed at the end, so a second token in play soaks up rolls that would overshoot.
Ludo questions
Can I play with friends?
Yes. Pick Local hotseat, choose how many players, and pass the device around. Each person takes a side and the game handles turns.
Does the game save if I close the tab?
Yes. Your current match is stored in your browser and comes back when you reload the page, as long as your browser keeps site data.
Why can't I move after rolling?
Usually all your tokens are still in base and you didn't roll a 6, or every move would land on a block or overshoot the center. The status line explains when no move is possible.
