Playing the Game of Ludu

Origin It is reported that the game used to be played in the Indian region from at least the 4th century AD. What we call ludo is a simplified version of the ancient indian game of pachisi which was introduced into Britain in the late 1800's. Subsequently it is believed that the British introduced this game into Ghana. Rules: Players, Make up and objectives: Players: The Game can be played by 2, 3 or 4 Players. Make Up: Usually made up of a Playboard, a die and 16 counters of 4 different set of colours Game objective: Players in turn, race each other around the circuit with the intention to be the first to get all 4 counters to the home base. How to Play: Each player picks a set of counters and places them in the Starting Squares of the same colour. Take it in turns to roll. You must roll a 6 before you can move a piece onto the track.(With other versions of the game players can include a throw of 1as a starter thow). Every time you roll a 6 you get a bonus roll and you can move any of your counters already on the track to the number shown on the die. If your counter lands on one of your opponent's they are knocked off and returned to the starting square. If one of your counters lands on top of your counters this forms a block. Your block cannot be passed by any of the opponent's pieces. When a counter goes all the way round the board it can enter the home column which is usually coloured in the like of the counter. To land in the home triangle you must roll the exact number or you have to advance by rolls of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. if you roll and the number is higher than the counting spaces between the counter and the final home point. The roll is ignored and you have to wait for another turn and try again. If however, it was less than the spaces left for home, you count and wait for another turn to roll the die again. You will do this till the last roll lands you exactly in the home triangle. At anytime you throw if the die lands outside or off the board it is a loss and you lose your count.(This is a flexible rule which can be ignored by the players. When ignored it makes the game tougher and more challenging as one can not intentionally roll a loss to achieve a goal) The winner is the first player to get all four counters into the home triangle.