A Ludo board looks busy at first. Once you can name its six key areas, following a turn becomes much easier.

1. The yard

Your four tokens wait in the coloured corner called the yard. In the common rules, you need a six before one can enter the track.

2. The starting square

This is the first track square for your colour. It is often marked with your colour and is commonly treated as a safe square. Check the symbols on the board you are using.

3. The outer track

Tokens travel clockwise around this shared ring. Count every square carefully; you move the exact value of your roll.

4. Safe squares

Many boards use stars or special markings for safe squares. A token there normally cannot be captured. The number and placement of these markings can differ by board.

5. The home column

After travelling around the outer track, your token turns into the coloured lane leading to the middle. Only your own tokens use this lane.

6. The centre

The centre is home. You normally need the exact number to place a token there. See the Ludo word list if any table talk is unclear.