Parcheesi and Ludo are very closely related, but they are not exactly the same game. Both are board games where players race their tokens from start to home, but there are some key differences.
1. Origins
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Parcheesi:
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Originated in India as Pachisi, known as the “national game of India.”
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Became popular in the U.S. in the early 20th century as Parcheesi.
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Ludo:
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A simplified version of Pachisi patented in England in 1896.
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Designed to be easier and faster, often for children.
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2. Board Design
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Parcheesi: Usually a cross-shaped board with four colored arms and many safe squares.
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Ludo: Square board with a simplified cross track and fewer safe spaces.
3. Number of Players
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Both games are usually 2–4 players, but Parcheesi can sometimes be played with up to 4 teams of 2.
4. Gameplay Differences
| Feature | Parcheesi | Ludo |
|---|---|---|
| Dice | 2 dice | 1 die |
| Moving out | Can move out with certain dice rolls | Usually requires rolling a 6 |
| Safe spaces | Many safe spaces | Fewer safe spaces |
| Strategy | Slightly more complex | Simplified for faster play |
5. Conclusion
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Ludo is a simplified version of Parcheesi.
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If you play Ludo, you are basically playing a child-friendly variant of Parcheesi.
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Both games share the core idea: move all your tokens from base to home while racing against other players.
✅ Takeaway
Parcheesi and Ludo are cousins in the world of board games. Ludo is easier and faster, making it more popular for children and casual play, while Parcheesi retains more strategic depth for players who enjoy a slightly more complex game.