Can You Take a Piece Out on a 1 in Ludo?

Can You Take a Piece Out on a 1 in Ludo?

In standard Ludo, no: only a 6 takes a piece out of the yard. But taking a piece out on a 1 is one of the most common house rules, especially in South Asia, where many families let a 1 or a 6 bring a piece out. Neither is wrong. It's a choice your table makes before the game starts.

Here's how each version works and what it changes.

The Three Take-Out Rules

Two things to notice:

• A 6 always gives you another roll, whichever rule you play. Under "1 only", a 6 still rolls again, it just can't bring a piece out.
• A 1 gives you another roll only when a 1 can take pieces out. Under "6 only", a 1 is an ordinary roll: move one square and your turn ends.

How Much Faster Is "1 or 6"?

The difference is bigger than it sounds, because it doubles your chances on every roll at the start of the game.

Under "6 only", four games in ten start with someone still waiting after five turns. That waiting is exactly why so many families added the 1.

How Each Rule Changes the Game

6 only is slower and more dramatic. Getting pieces out is a real event, a lucky player can race ahead early, and a cut piece hurts more, because getting it back out takes a 6.

1 or 6 is faster and more forgiving. Games are shorter, being cut is less painful, and more pieces are on the board at once, so there are more chances to cut and be cut.

1 only is the rarest. It works like "6 only" for pace, but 6s keep their extra roll, so long runs still happen.

Strategy tip: under "1 or 6", don't rush every piece out. More pieces on the board means more targets for your opponents. Our Ludo strategy tips cover when to bring pieces out and when to wait.

Two Rules That Go with It

• Three 1s penalty (optional): roll three 1s in a row and your piece closest to home goes back to the yard. It can only happen when a 1 rolls again, so it never applies under "6 only".
• Start with a piece out (optional): everyone begins with one piece already on their start square, so nobody waits at all. A good fit for "6 only" if you want its drama without the slow start.

What Do Other Games Do?

The yard-and-race idea appears in many games, each with its own way out:

• Ludo (the British version of the Indian game Pachisi): a 6 in the standard rules.
• Parcheesi (the American version): a 5, on one die or as the total of both.
• Sorry!: a card instead of dice, where a 1 or a 2 starts a pawn.

So "only a 6" isn't the one true rule. It's simply the one printed in most Ludo boxes.

How to Choose the Rule on PlayLudo

On PlayLudo you choose under Take a piece out with: 6 only, 1 only or 1 or 6.

• Your defaults: set it in Game Rules in the main menu. New Pass & Play games and rooms you create start with it.
• Pass & Play: you can also change it in the game's setup before you start. Start a Pass & Play game.
• Online with friends: the host presses Change next to House rules in the waiting room. Everyone sees the rules before the game starts. Create a room.
• Quick Play always uses the standard rules, so a 6.

All the other rules you can choose, like Cut to unlock home and Must cut, are in our house rules guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is taking a piece out on a 1 against the rules?

Not if your table agrees to it. The standard rules say 6, but a 1 is a very common house rule.

Do you get another turn after rolling a 1?

Only if a 1 can take a piece out in your game. Under "6 only", no.

Can a 1 take out more than one piece?

No. One roll moves one piece, so a 1 brings out one piece.

What if I roll a 6 but all my pieces are already out?

You move a piece six squares and roll again.

Try Both and See

Play one game each way and you'll quickly see which your family prefers. Start a game now.