Jamaican Ludi rules

How to play Ludi

Ludi is Jamaica's fast, tactical relative of Ludo. Each player races four men from the yard, around the board and into heaven. Jamaican games commonly use two dice, reward bold cuts and turn blocks into moving roadblocks.

Set up the Ludi board

Two to eight people can play on Ludi Don. Each player chooses a colour and starts with four men in that colour's yard. The path runs clockwise around the shared outer track. Your coloured gate is where new men enter; your home column leads from the track toward the centre, called heaven.

For the familiar cross board, use two to four players. Larger six-arm and eight-arm boards keep the same movement rules while giving five to eight players their own yards and home paths.

What happens on a turn?

Roll both dice.
Use each die separately. Move one man with each die, or move the same man twice when both individual moves are legal.
Resolve the first move before the second. A cut or a newly formed block can change which second move is legal.
Roll again after a six. A throw containing at least one six earns one bonus throw after the dice are played.

Example: you roll 6 and 3. You can use the 6 to born a man at your gate, then move that new man three spaces. If another man is already out, you can split the dice between them instead.

The six core Jamaican Ludi rules

1. Born on a six

A man can leave the yard only when you spend a 6. Place him on your gate. He is now born and can move with the other die when that move is open.

2. Split the dice

Each die is its own move. Move two different men, or one man twice. You do not combine a 4 and 5 into one nine-space jump.

3. Cut a rival

Land exactly on one enemy man to cut him. He returns to his yard and must roll another 6 to be born again. Passing over him does not cut.

4. Block the road

Two of your men on one square form a block. Opponents cannot land on it or pass through it. A block on their gate can keep every un-born man locked in the yard.

5. Move a block

When you throw doubles, you may move both men in a block together if the full route is open. Otherwise, separate them using ordinary individual moves.

6. Reach heaven exactly

After one lap, turn into your own home column. A man reaches heaven only with the exact number required. A die that overshoots cannot move that man.

How do you win?

Bring all four of your men to heaven before every opponent. A man already in heaven is finished and cannot be cut. Getting one man home is useful; getting the fourth one home ends the match.

If no legal move exists for a die, that die is lost. If neither die can be played, the turn ends—unless your throw included a six, in which case you still receive the bonus roll used by these rules.

Partner Ludi rules

With an even number of players, opposite colours can play as partners. You still control your own four men until they all reach heaven. After you finish, your future rolls move your partner's men. The team wins when both partners have brought all eight men home.

Partners can protect lanes and squeeze opponents from two sides, but each player's same-colour men form their own blocks. Teamwork matters most when choosing whether to chase a cut or clear the route toward heaven.

Simple Ludi strategy that wins games

Born more than one man. A lone runner gives you fewer ways to use both dice and is easy to chase.
Count the danger zone. Before ending a move, look 2–12 spaces behind for enemies that could cut on their next two-dice throw.
Use blocks with a purpose. A gate block is powerful, but keeping two men together also reduces your movement options.
Play the dice in the right order. Cutting first, opening a block first, or moving one man out of the way can make a second move legal.
Do not race every man alone. Keep one attacker in the shared track while another approaches home so opponents cannot ignore you.

Jamaican Ludi rule questions

Is Ludi the same as Ludo?

They share the same race-to-home family and cross-shaped board, but Jamaican Ludi is commonly played with two dice and puts more emphasis on cuts, blocks and local table rules. Read the full Jamaican Ludi and Caribbean Ludo comparison.

Do you need a six to come out in Ludi?

Yes. Under these rules, spend one die showing 6 to move a man from your yard onto your gate. The other die can then move that man if the path is legal.

Can you split the two dice?

Yes. Each die is a separate move. You may use them on different men or move the same man twice, resolving each landing in order.

Are there safe squares in Jamaican Ludi?

The rules used by Ludi Don have no safe star squares. Safety comes from forming blocks and controlling gates. Because house rules vary, agree on any safe squares before an in-person game.

How many people can play Ludi?

A standard cross board seats up to four. Ludi Don supports 2–8 players by adding six-arm and eight-arm boards built around the same movement system.

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Rules guide reviewed July 19, 2026. In-person Jamaican Ludi is a social game with house-rule variations; agree on the table rules before the first roll.