Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions people most often ask about the Royal Game of Ur and this free online version of it.

Is the Royal Game of Ur the oldest board game in the world?

It's one of the strongest candidates. Boards dating to around 2600–2400 BCE were found in the Royal Cemetery of Ur, and — unusually for a game this old — an actual ancient rulebook survives (a cuneiform tablet from 177 BCE), so we can play it as it was genuinely meant to be played rather than guessing entirely from the board shape. See the full history.

Is this game free to play?

Yes, completely — playing against the computer or against a friend online is free, with no account and no ads.

How many players does the Royal Game of Ur need?

Exactly two: you against the computer, or you against a friend, either sitting together or connected online.

What are the odds of each dice roll?

With four binary pyramid dice, a roll of 2 is most common (37.5%), 1 and 3 are equally likely (25% each), and 0 or 4 are rare (6.25% each). See the strategy guide for how to use this.

What's the difference between the Finkel, Masters and Blitz rules?

Mainly path length, which squares are shared and dangerous, and whether rosettes are safe. Finkel is the historically-reconstructed rule set; Masters is the modern competitive standard; Blitz is a faster, more aggressive variant. Full comparison here.

Can I play against an unbeatable computer opponent?

Almost — there are five difficulty levels, up to a "God" level that searches deeply and never blunders. The dice are always genuinely random for both sides, though, so even "God" can lose a game to bad luck. There's also a demo mode where you can watch the strongest AI play itself.

Do I need to download anything or create an account?

No. The game runs entirely in your browser and needs no installation, account or sign-up, whether you're playing solo or online with a friend.

What languages is the game available in?

English, Dutch, Spanish, German and French, switchable from the setup menu at any time.

Is my data collected when I play online?

No personal information is required to play. See the game's own Privacy page (linked in its footer) for details.