How to play · 7 min read · Updated
Ludo Tournaments Guide: Daily Free Cup, Brackets, Byes
Every day there is a free knockout Ludo cup on Ludo Cash Arena. You register, check in before the start, and play 1 vs 1 games against real players until one champion is left. This guide explains each phase, how brackets and byes work, and how to avoid losing by walkover.
The Daily Free Cup
The Daily Free Cup is a free-entry tournament held every evening, usually at 20:00 East Africa Time. The exact start time, bracket size and prize table are always shown on the tournament card. It is free to enter and pays token prizes, so you can compete without spending any money. Tokens are free play points with no cash value.
Other tournaments may appear in the Tournaments tab from time to time. Each card shows its name, entry, start time, bracket size, how many players have joined and the prizes.
The phases of a tournament
- Upcoming: the tournament is announced but registration is not open yet.
- Registration: tap Join to take a place. You can leave again before the start if your plans change.
- Check-in: a short window just before the start, shown on the card. Tap Check in to confirm you are there. Joining during check-in checks you in at the same time.
- Running: the bracket is drawn and the first games start.
- Finished: the champion is crowned and prizes are paid.
How the bracket works
Tournaments are single elimination: lose one game and you are out, win and you move on to the next round. Brackets are built for 8, 16 or 32 players. At the start, the bracket shrinks to the smallest size that fits everyone who checked in. If fewer than the minimum number of players check in, the tournament is cancelled and any entries are returned.
Seeding
Players are seeded by rating, and then by who checked in first. Seeds are placed in the standard bracket order, so the top seeds cannot meet each other in the early rounds.
Byes
If the number of checked-in players is not a full bracket, some players get a bye: they move into the next round without playing. Byes go to the top seeds first, which is one reason a good rating helps in tournaments.
Every game is 1 vs 1 against a real player
Bracket games are normal 2-player matches with the usual classic-1 rules, turn timer and reconnect window. Bots never play in tournaments. There is no rematch: the winner goes through, the loser is out. Played bracket games count for your rating like quick games.
When your game is ready
When both players for a bracket game are known, the next game starts after a short break. You get a notification that your match starts now, with a link straight to the table. Open it quickly.
- Walkover: if you do not open the table within the reconnect window, you lose by walkover. A walkover gives no XP and is not rated.
- Double no-show: if neither player shows up, both are out and the next opponent in the bracket gets a bye.
- Disconnections: the normal match rules apply. Reopen the app within the reconnect window and you continue the game.
Places and prizes
- 1st: the champion.
- 2nd: the loser of the final.
- 3rd: both semi-final losers share 3rd place, and a 3rd-place prize is paid to each of them.
- 5th: quarter-final losers. 9th: round-of-16 losers. 17th: round-of-32 losers.
The prize table on the card shows which places pay and how much. Players dropped for not checking in get no prize. Prizes are added to your wallet automatically when the tournament finishes, and you can see the standings and full bracket at any time.
Example: a 12-player Daily Free Cup
Imagine 12 players check in for a cup with room for 16. At the start the bracket shrinks to the smallest size that fits 12, which is 16, so there are 4 empty places. The four top seeds get byes into round two, and the other eight players play four first-round games. After that it is a normal knockout: eight players in the quarter-finals, four in the semi-finals, two in the final.
If only 7 players check in to a 16-player cup, the bracket shrinks to 8, and the top seed gets a bye. If fewer players check in than the minimum shown on the card, the cup is cancelled and nothing is lost.
Rating and why it matters
Your rating goes up when you win rated games and down when you lose them. Quick games and played tournament games both count. A higher rating gives you a better seed, which can mean a bye and easier early opponents. Walkovers are not rated, so you cannot climb by waiting for no-shows, and you do not drop if your opponent never arrives. The best way to raise your rating is simply to play steadily and well.
Tips for tournament day
- Register early and set a reminder for the check-in window.
- Charge your phone and make sure your data bundle or Wi-Fi will last. Several rounds back to back can take a while.
- Stay near the app between rounds. The break between games is short.
- Practise against hard bots during the day so the opening and endgame feel automatic in the evening.
- Play your own game. Bracket games are 1 vs 1, so every capture against your one rival counts in full.
If a tournament is cancelled, any entries are returned. If you think a bracket game went wrong, report it from the match or through Support with the match details, and our team will review it. Tournaments are about fun and bragging rights; play within your time limits and take breaks between sessions.
Questions and answers
When is the Daily Free Cup?
Every evening, usually at 20:00 East Africa Time. The exact time is always shown on the tournament card.
Does it cost anything to enter?
No. The Daily Free Cup is free to enter and pays token prizes. Tokens have no cash value.
What happens if I forget to check in?
Registered players who do not check in are dropped at the start. Joining during the check-in window checks you in automatically.
What is a bye?
When the number of players is not a full bracket, some players move into the next round without playing. Byes go to the top seeds first.
Do bots play in tournaments?
No. Every tournament game is 1 vs 1 against a real player.
What if my opponent does not show up?
If they do not open the table within the reconnect window, you win by walkover and move on.
Put it into practice
Play a real opponent in seconds, or start with free practice against labelled bots.
Keep reading
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