Though Ludo is often mentioned as a game of luck, strategy plays a huge role in deciding the winner. Therefore, using your observation skills and ludo psychology can give you a significant edge. Have you ever wondered why some ludo players seem to stay one step ahead? The secret lies in their ability to read their opponent’s next moves.
This article is a guide on mastering the psychological side of Ludo so that you can predict your opponent’s strategy and level up your Ludo games.
Understanding the basics of ludo psychology
Before you focus on ludo tactics, you must know some basics. They will not only strengthen the foundation of your ludo skills but will also polish your strategies.
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Ludo is more than luck:
Though the number that will come up after rolling the dice is random, what you will do with that number is totally up to you. So, it is a must to keep an eye on the actions of your opponents. It will reveal more about their gaming style, helping you to predict their future moves.
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Observation is the key:
To improve your ludo skills, you must learn how to observe your opponents correctly. You must focus on their lead and when they’re hurriedly moving their tokens toward Home.
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Every player is different:
Every player is different. Thus, decide on your strategies, depending on a player’s nature and gaming style. While some players are aggressive and focused on eliminating other’s tokens, others prefer to play defensive and try to move forward while keeping their tokens safe. Recognizing their tendency is the first step to reading their moves.
Learning to identify the players
In a ludo game, there can be three types of players: aggressive, defensive, and balanced. If you are trying to predict your opponent’s behavior, the first step is identifying their gaming style.
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Aggressive Players:
These players are more interested in sending their opponent’s token back to the point than sending tokens to Home (final point). They will wait for the opponent to go out of the safe zone for once so that they can attack.
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How to identify them:
If the player is chasing your token, even risking their tokens and always looking for chances to attack, they are the aggressive players.
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How to counter them:
To counter such players, you can spread your tokens in safe zones throughout the board, decreasing the risk of your token eliminations. Move the tokens in pairs because it will be harder for them to send all your tokens back.
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Defensive Players:
Defensive players try to avoid confrontation. They rarely chase other players’ tokens to eliminate them. Instead, they try to take their tokens Home before anyone else. They avoid risky moves and look for opportunities to move their tokens without being attacked.
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How to identify them:
These players rarely chase others and keep their tokens in the safe zone for most of the time.
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How to counter them:
If you want to take advantage of this gaming style, try to block their progress or force them to remove their tokens from the safe zone.
. Balanced Players:
These players can play aggressively and defensively. They can adapt their strategies based on their opponent’s gaming style and the game’s progress.
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How to identify them:
They are hard to identify and predict as they can switch strategies anytime based on the situation.
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How to counter them:
Though it is hard to counter them, it is better to stay adaptable while facing such an opponent. You can avoid overcommitting to any single strategy.
Decoding the behavior of your opponents
Every move in a ludo game can reveal certain things about your opponents. It will help you understand their priorities and give hints about their next moves. If you can decode the behavior of your competitors, you will be able to cushion the risk.
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Protecting Tokens:
Does your opponent have their tokens in the safe zone for a long? Do they avoid moving them out unless that part of the board is almost clear? If this happens, remember they prioritize safety. It can tell you that they most likely won’t put their tokens at risk at any cost. Hence, they will probably not move from their zone unless the threat is gone.
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Target a specific player:
Do you see someone going out of their way to capture your tokens and constantly chasing you? It means they have taken you as their primary target. You can expect them to chase your token for most of the game. So, you can use this tendency to use this action to bait them into a bad position.
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Rushing to the finish line:
Most Ludo player’s primary goal is to rush to the finish line and end the game with a high score. These players take the safest routes and avoid confrontations, chasing, and eliminating the opponent’s token to reach Home fast and safely.
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When a player is near your token:
Sometimes, you may not notice a player actively chasing your token, but you find their tokens near yours continuously. It means they are trying to eliminate your token and are waiting for the correct number from the dice roll.
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If an aggressive player is stacking their tokens at the safe zone near Home:
Be cautious when you see your aggressive opponent pulling this move. They’ll chase the tokens just about to reach Home and eliminate them. At least, the chances are high here.
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Keep an eye on the dice rolls:
How your opponent uses the numbers on their dice rolls says a lot about their upcoming actions. After rolling a six, if your opponent focuses on a single token, they are interested in taking their token to Home.
If your opponent places these tokens at a strategic location and attacks, you can expect them to take out all their tokens and move them all together.
Manipulating the decision of your opponents
Once you are well-versed in reading your opponents’ actions, it is time to learn how you can manipulate them in your favor. Here’s how you can do it –
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Baiting:
You can place your tokens in positions that can tempt your opponents to chase you, even if it is not the best move for them. For example, leave a token out to distract them.
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Using double tokens:
This can be a move to tackle an aggressive player. Lure your opponent to attack one of your tokens while you chase it with another token when they rush to eliminate it. If luck favors, you can eliminate their token without losing any of yours.
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Blocking:
Position your tokens to block your opponents’ progress. As defensive players most likely won’t get close to your tokens, if they sense danger, you can use this tactic to block their progress.
Changing your strategies when it is needed
As a ludo player, it is wise to stay flexible and update your gaming style based on the game’s progress. Staying dedicated to one style and sticking to certain strategies or particular gaming styles can halt your progress.
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When they’re losing:
A player becomes more aggressive and takes risks to catch up when losing. In such situations, stay vigilant and keep your tokens safe.
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When your opponent is winning:
Players in the lead act defensively to protect their advantage. You can force them into situations where they will be tempted to take risks. As a result, they may end up losing their lead.
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When the game is about to close:
The winners and losers will focus on maximizing their chances of winning in a competitive match. So, use your every move to create opportunities for yourself while blocking your opponents.
Learning from every game
Predicting your opponent’s moves and using them in your favor requires skill and practice. After every game, try to reflect on your observation skills. You can improve your abilities by keeping track of things that caught you off guard. You can check which strategies are working well for you. You may also test new tactics to see if they are helping you during the games.
Conclusion
Ludo may be a simple game, but when strong players use their best strategies, you must master Ludo’s psychology to win. Ludo is as much about psychology as it is about strategy. By observing the priorities of your opponents, you can adapt to their strategies. You can predict their actions and outthink your opponents. So the next time you roll the dice, don’t just focus on your moves. Keep an eye on your opponent. Voila! Now, you can dominate the board!
