The Royal Game of Ur

The Royal Game of Ur is one of the oldest board games we know of, and it still holds up today. Two players race their pieces across a board of twenty squares, trying to get every piece from start to finish before the other player does. The rules are easy to pick up in a few minutes, but the choices you make along the way keep every match interesting.

On your turn you roll dice to see how far you can move. Then you decide which piece to advance. That simple decision carries a lot of weight.

Do you push a piece forward toward the finish, or do you hold back and block your opponent? Landing on a square with a rosette gives you another roll, which can swing a close game in an instant. Some squares are safe, and some let you send an opponent's piece back to the start, so timing matters as much as luck.

The board itself has a distinctive shape, with the middle section narrower than the ends, and the path winds through it in a way that creates plenty of back and forth. Pieces can capture, pieces can be captured, and the tension builds as both sides get closer to the end. It is a light game on the surface with real decisions underneath, which is probably why people kept playing versions of it for thousands of years.

We are bringing this classic back as ZOXOK, and we are proud to publish it. Our goal is to keep the old rules intact while making the game comfortable to play today, whether you are learning it for the first time or you already know the board by heart.

The game works well for two players and fits nicely into a short break or a longer evening. It rewards patience and a bit of nerve, and it stays friendly enough that anyone can join in. If you have never tried a game this old, The Royal Game of Ur is a good place to start.