# How to Capture a Token in Ludo
This guide is for entertainment only. Capturing (also called killing or cutting) is one of Ludo’s most important offensive moves. In Ludo King and standard classic Ludo, you capture when your token lands **exactly** on the same regular square as a single enemy token. The captured token returns to its base and must wait for another 6 to come out again. Capturing also gives you an extra dice roll as a reward.
Step-by-Step Capture Process
1. Roll the dice and check the number.
2. Pick one of your tokens on the board to move clockwise.
3. Move it forward by the exact dice value.
4. If your token finishes moving on a normal square with **one opponent’s token**, capture triggers automatically.
5. The enemy token goes back to their base, and you get another roll.
> Important: Passing over an opponent token during movement does **not** count as capture. Only the final square of your move matters.
When You Cannot Capture
These are the hard no-capture rules for standard Ludo King:
1. **Safe star squares**: Any token on a star-marked safe square is protected. You can land on the safe square together, but you cannot capture it.
2. **Blockade square**: Two tokens of the same colour stacked on one regular square make a blockade. You cannot land there or capture them.
3. **Opponent’s home column**: Once a token enters its own coloured home stretch, it is safe from all captures.
4. **Your own tokens**: You cannot capture your own tokens. Two of your tokens can stack to make a blockade.
5. **Home triangle**: Tokens that have reached the final home spot are out of play and cannot be touched.
Common Situations & Rulings
### Situation 1: You roll the perfect number to catch an enemy token
Choose wisely: sometimes capturing is risky. After capture, your token stays on that square and may be vulnerable to the opponent’s next roll. Try to capture when your token can reach a safe square on your bonus roll.
### Situation 2: You land on a safe square where an enemy token is already sitting
No capture happens. Both tokens stay on the star square. You still lose your extra roll unless you rolled a 6 separately.
### Situation 3: You capture and roll a 6 on your bonus turn
You get another roll again. Remember the three consecutive sixes rule: if three sixes happen in a row, your turn is cancelled.
### Situation 4: The opponent has two tokens stacked as a blockade
You cannot land on that square. You have to pick a different token to move or wait for a dice number that lets you take another route.
### Situation 5: Quick Mode vs Classic Mode
Capture rules are identical in both modes. The only difference is the win condition.
Practical Capture Strategy Tips
1. Do not chase recklessly. If your token is far from a safe zone, chasing an enemy can leave you exposed.
2. Keep one token near the start ready to chase targets that come out early.
3. Use captures to slow the leading player who is close to entering their home column.
4. Save your 6s to release backup tokens after you capture someone.
5. Try to capture when your bonus roll can move you straight into a safe square.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Thinking passing over a token captures it.
2. Trying to capture tokens on star safe squares.
3. Chasing enemies and forgetting their own token is unprotected.
4. Confusing a blockade with a single enemy token.
5. Forgetting that capture gives an extra roll and wasting the chance.
6. Trying to capture tokens already inside the opponent’s home lane.
Quick Recap Checklist
1. Land exactly on a regular square with one enemy token to capture.
2. Capture sends the token back to base and gives you an extra roll.
3. Passing over tokens does nothing.
4. No capture on star safe squares, blockades, or home columns.
5. Two same-colour tokens make a blockade you cannot land on.
6. Capture only works on the main shared track.
7. Balance aggression: avoid leaving your token exposed after a capture.
8. Capture rules are the same for Classic and Quick Ludo King modes.