Which indoor game is an all-time favorite for people of all ages? Of course, the most common answer is Ludo. You may have heard about this game from when you learned to speak. Thus, it may seem easy to you. However, with time, the game has evolved. Now, not only on the boards, you can play it online. Many official Ludo tournaments have started, making the simple board game competitive. So, if you cannot play strategically, becoming a prestigious winner may remain a dream!
However, luck plays a vital role in a Ludo game. Still, understanding the rules is crucial, besides learning impactful strategies and ways to handle critical situations. So, first, know the game.
Generally, Ludo is played on a physical square-shaped game board divided into four quadrants of four different colors – red, yellow, green, and blue. Each player has to choose one quadrant and will have four tokens (pieces) of that color. The game begins by rolling the Ludo dice. The player has to roll a six to bring a token out from its quadrant.
A player’s job is to bring every token out of his quadrant and make it reach the home (center of the board) through the track along the board. The winner will be the first player to make all four tokens of his quadrant reach the center of the board. Though this basic rule may seem simple, the game is not everyone’s cup of tea.
As the game mainly depends on the result of the dice roll, it is largely luck-dependent. Following various strategies can make Ludo highly interesting! These include managing your tokens cleverly and effectively, early planning, and taking calculated risks wherever necessary. Let us learn more about some beneficial strategies.
Move your tokens timely and tactfully:
Be calculative while moving your tokens. Do not lose your calm. You must know how and when to move your tokens effectively. Here are some helpful tips.
It is wise to be clever rather than play at a high speed. Your goal is to reach the center of the board. There may be many hurdles for which you may lose the game. So, do not rush! Instead, hold back and wait for a better moment. If you spread too many tokens on the board at an early stage, you may end up being captured by your opponent.
Use the opportunity wisely when your dice rolls six. Instead of moving an already released token, it’s better to bring a piece out of the starting phase. Use the dice roll (be it six or other numbers) to your advantage – either advance an existing token further along the track or bring a fresh token out.
Group your tokens wherever possible. You will be able to defend your tokens better. Your opponents will not be able to attack smoothly. Block your opponent’s moves if you have two tokens in one box on the board. This way, you can gain an advantage.
Understand the importance of safe zones:
Ludo boards have special boxes marked with a star. These are called ‘safe zones.’ The rule says that if your token is in a safe zone box, no other player can send your token back to the quadrant (the beginning). So, the role of these boxes is crucial to safeguard your tokens. Some helpful tips are,
Always aim to put your tokens in the safe zone boxes wherever possible, especially if they are nearing the center of the board or home. It will help you protect your tokens and reach the center of the board faster.
If your token is near the home and in a safe zone, do not bring it out if another player’s token is nearby. Try to reach the center of the board directly from the safe zone.
Learn how to protect your tokens:
What you must not forget while playing Ludo is to be defensive. Protect your tokens. Otherwise, your opponents will send them back to the start, and your progress will get hampered. Here are some tips for you.
Be careful while moving ahead with your tokens. Avoid keeping them near any of your opponent’s pieces. If there is no safety zone box near you, then it is wise to play safe. Do not take any risky moves. Watch all your opponent’s moves sharply and play accordingly.
The most beneficial move of Ludo is creating blockades. It happens when two of your tokens are placed in the same box. It prevents your opponent’s tokens from moving past that box. If you can create such a blockade near the center of the board, it will automatically slow down your opponent. You will get an edge this way.
Strategic positioning of the blockades also helps. For example, if your opponent has multiple tokens ready to move forward, you can create a blockage in their path and halt their progress altogether. It will give you a significant advantage.
Like you, your opponent can create blockades and follow the same strategy. Be careful! Observe their movements and avoid placing your tokens in the areas they blocked.
Identify your opponent’s weaknesses and play accordingly:
Do not lose any opportunity to win. Watch your opponent’s way of playing and try to identify any weakness in the player. Also, you can take advantage of your opponent’s weak moves. Some examples are,
Maybe one of your opponent’s tokens is far from the safe zone or center of the board. It is a golden opportunity for you to target that piece. Try to land on the same box as your opponent’s token. It will send that token back to the start, for which the opponent may lose the game.
Observe how other players are playing and placing their tokens. If someone seems to be struggling with a particular token, take advantage. Block that token or send it back to the start area.
Learn to play according to the dice rolls:
The game of Ludo depends on the dice rolls. Thus, you will have to strategize according to what you roll. You must know that both the dice and the roll are not under your control. Some necessary tips regarding this are:
Rolling a six is extremely valuable as it brings a token out from the starting area and advances it along the track on the board. Not only this, you can also use a six-roll to help a token that is stuck in a challenging area. Sometimes, it may make a token go directly into the center of the board from a safe zone.
At times, it so happens that small dice rolls keep on coming repeatedly. It may be advantageous, but slows down your moves. Do not get disheartened. Use these opportunities to move your token near the safety zone, set up advantageous blockades, or position your token in a prospective area and wait for the next roll. Make your brain work continuously.
Learn the importance of being patient:
Unlike races, Ludo is a game played strategically with proper planning. Here, speed will not make you win. Instead, it may lead to mistakes and missing opportunities. So, what you need to do is,
Keep patience and proceed in a calculated way. Think and plan after each roll. Do not rush. Take time. Make each move with a purpose – whether it is about creating a blockade, protecting a token, or sending an opponent’s piece back to the start.
Wait and watch before making a strike. You will be tempted to move all your tokens to the home as fast as possible. But wait for the right time. Attack them Only when your opponent’s moves are loose or vulnerable. You will remain ahead in the game.
Be adaptive to changing situations:
In Ludo, anything can happen at any time. A position that may seem like heaven can turn disadvantageous after two or three dice rolls. If you want to win, be adaptive to changes and remain flexible.
Be tactful. Keep backup plans ready while playing. Quickly change your strategy according to the situation. Suppose a player creates a blockade for you. Immediately, you can move a different token or slow that player down while forming your blockade.
Stay calm under pressure. Do not panic if the game seems to go out of your hand. Only a stable mind can help you win, even under such crucial situations.
Try to keep a distance of seven boxes ahead of your opponent’s token. The highest number the dice can roll is six, and your opponent getting one after a six roll is very low. Hence, staying seven boxes ahead of your opponent’s token will keep you in an advantageous position.
What you must not do in a Ludo game:
Avoid specific points that may pull you down during the game. Some such examples are,
Do not advance a single token alone.
Do not underestimate your opponent.
Do not place two tokens in the same safe spot. It may limit your flexibility.
Hone your skills:
Practice repeatedly and regularly to improve your skills. You can begin with free games on a board and then, after gaining some confidence, move on to online games and tournaments. Sometimes, if played professionally, Ludo can help you earn cash. So, your Ludo passion can also become your breadwinning experience.
Conclusion:
To master the art of the Ludo game, you must know the rules, how to create a plan, understand the moves well, and use beneficial tips and tricks. However, before deciding on the strategy, you must decide whether to play it defensively or aggressively. Impatience will not help. Stay calm, and remember that every dice roll is a new opportunity! Practice enough so that you can dominate every Ludo game you play!
