Today Fencer posted 3 ideas that I proposed for 3 new Ludo variants (based of my ideas plus ideas I found on this board and such)

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Ludo Variant #1: (since "faster" games seem to be very popular)

Name Idea: Ludo Express

Same board and pieces as regular Ludo.

Get out of start with either a 1 or a 6.

Roll 2 dice each turn. Each turn, 2 dice rolled. (doubles are nothing special)

Each dice is separate. Like Backgammon, you first make a move with Dice #1 – then make a move with Dice #2 (or swap and move first with Dice #2, then Dice #1 – order is up to player) You can move the same piece twice, OR move 2 different pieces – 1 with each die

So for example, first turn of the game, you roll a 1 & 6 – you have 2 options. Use the "1" to get out of start, and then use the "6" to move 6 spaces – or use the "6" to get our of start, and then use the "1" to move 1 space.

You can split the dice up between different men. You can use the "1" to get a piece out, and use "6" on a different piece on the board.

NOTE: If you own man is sitting on your "start space", you have to move it BEFORE you can get another piece out of the board.

If you can move – you have to move. (only pass if you have no move) Plus it is possible to move with 1 die, and then pass the other if there is no move with that one.

The rest are the same rules as regular Ludo.

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# Ludo Variant #2:

Name Idea: Ludo Strategy

Same board and pieces as regular ludo. 2 main differences:

1. You can place your piece on top of another one of your own pieces to form a "block". This "block" will block the board an NO pieces (yours or opponents) can move past the block. To get rid of the block, you simple move the "top" piece from the block just as a regular turn (leaving your bottom piece still sitting there in danger of a capture)

2. You can move forward like normal, or backwards. If you roll something like a 6, then bonus 3 – you must either move a piece forward a total of 9 spaces, or backwards a total of 9 spaces. There is no "splitting" the dice up and going forward 6, then back 3.

NOTE #1: You can NOT move backwards past your starting point. You can move backwards all the way to and on top of the starting spot, but not any further

NOTE #2: You can NOT move backwards out of your own "home" area. Once you enter your home (last 4 ending spots), you can no longer move those pieces backwards.

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# Ludo Variant #3:

Name Idea: Ludo Strategy Express

As you can guess, it would be a combination of the 2 variant ideas above. Have the "fast" with the ability to block & move backwards.

The only difference would be because you roll 2 dice each time, you CAN split the forward/backwards decision up. Move with 1 die forward, and then move with another die backwards. (same or different pieces)

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This would be a great place to comment. I think the only thing I would add to it is for #2 & #3, that I would say blocks would be allowed anywhere EXCEPT for the 2 start spaces (your own & your opponent) - so that way you can block your opponent, but you can't block them at least getting 1 of their pieces on the board.)

Any other comments - ideas? Ludo is the 2nd more popular game (as for current running games), so would be nice to have a variant or 2 (or 3)