Royal Game of Ur
The Royal Game of Ur is a 15-minute race game for 2 from ancient Mesopotamia. Throw four tetrahedral dice, move your seven pieces and bring them all home first. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Play over time
Royal Game of Ur in 30 seconds
- Set upEach player starts with seven pieces in the waiting area; the first player throws first.
- Take turnsThrow four tetrahedral dice and move one piece by the number of white tips.
- Rosettes and captureLanding on a rosette earns another throw; landing on an opposing piece in the shared column sends it back.
- WinBearing off needs an exact throw. The first player to bring all seven pieces home wins.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 15 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | No |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-21 |
How to play Royal Game of Ur online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- 2 players. On your own, play against the computer.
- Each player starts with seven pieces in the waiting area. The board has three rows of eight, and the middle row is shared.
How to play
- On your turn, throw four tetrahedral dice. The number of white tips facing up, 0 to 4, is how far you move.
- A waiting piece enters on that square of your column, from the first to the fourth. A piece already on the board moves that many squares forward.
- You may not land on your own piece. A throw of 0, or a throw with no legal move, passes the turn.
- Tapping a piece previews where it lands. Tap it again, tap the target square or press Move to confirm.
Winning
- Landing on a rosette — the fourth and fourteenth squares of your own column and the eighth in the middle — earns another throw.
- Landing on an opposing piece in the shared column sends that piece back to the waiting area. A piece on the central rosette is safe, so you cannot move onto it.
- Bearing off needs an exact throw. The first player to bring all seven pieces home wins. A player may also resign.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swap first player on rematch | Play again switches who moves first. | On | Can be changed |
Recommendations
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FAQ
How many can play?
2 players. On your own, play against the computer.
Are the dice six-sided?
No — four tetrahedral dice. Each shows 0 or 1, and the total, 0 to 4, is your move.
Where did the artwork come from?
The board and pieces were drawn for this site. Seats use the site's own icons.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Can we play without being online at the same time?
Yes. Choose “Turn-based (told each turn)” and you can make one move whenever you like. We tell you when it is your turn. A table ends automatically, with no winner or loser, after 45 days without a move.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
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Last updated 2026-09-21 · Run by Qdan, Inc.