# Maya Bul > Ancient Maya running-fight strategy board game with dice-based movement and capture mechanics. (iPhone/iPad app by Luigi Fonti.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maya-bul/id639570064 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Luigi Fonti](https://appshunter.io/developer/360904185) - Category: Games, Board, Strategy - Price: $0.99 - Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.4 · 5 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2013-04-30 - Data updated: 2026-07-06 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maya-bul/id639570064/reviews.md ## What is Maya Bul? Bul, also called Buul, Boolik or Puluc, is a running-fight game originating in Mesoamerica, and is known particularly among several of the Maya peoples of the Guatemalan highlands. It is uncertain whether this specific game dates back to the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, or whether instead it developed in the post-colonial era after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. It is impossible to know when exactly the game was developed or what the original rules were as very few records survived the invasion by the conquistadors (between the 15th and 17th centuries). Rules for two players The overall objective is to capture and subsequently kill the playing pieces of the opposition, so the game is in essence a war game. The playing area is divided up into equal spaces using rods, placed parallel to each other. The two players have control of a base at either end of the play area. The players take five stones or figurines, yellow for the first player and red for the second one, initially placed in their respective bases. The movement of the stones is determined by the roll of four dice or 'bul' (corn kernels). These are painted black on one half so that they land showing either a yellow or black face. The number of faces showing determines how many spaces a stone can move: 1 yellow - 1 space 2 yellow - 2 spaces 3 yellow - 3 spaces 4 yellow - 4 spaces 0 yellow (all black) - 5 spaces Taking it in turns, players roll the bul, pushing a colored button and move any of their stones the corresponding number of spaces toward the enemy base. A stone cannot move to a space where there is already a friendly stone. If there is no other option but to do this, a player must pass, pressing the Pass button. When a stone lands on the same space as an enemy stone, the enemy stone is captured and is no longer controlled by the enemy player. The enemy stone is placed beneath the capturing stone to reflect its captured state. Every time the capturing stone moves, its prisoners are moved with it. If a stone lands on an enemy stone which already has prisoners, it captures that stone and its prisoners, and these are placed beneath it. When a stone captures an enemy stone, it immediately reverses direction and begins heading back to the home base. Once a stone and its prisoners reach home, any enemy stones are removed from the game, or killed. Friendly stones are liberated or returned back to the set of stones which can be played. Once a player has killed every enemy stone, he wins. ## Key features - Running-fight gameplay - Dice-based movement - Piece capture mechanics - Two-player strategy - Return captured pieces to base ## Frequently asked questions about Maya Bul ### What is Maya Bul? Maya Bul is a running-fight strategy game originating in Mesoamerica, particularly among the Maya peoples. The objective is to capture and kill all of your opponent's playing pieces. ### How do you play Maya Bul? Players roll four dice ('bul') to determine movement spaces for their five stones. Stones move towards the enemy base, capturing enemy stones they land on. Captured stones are brought back to the home base to be removed from the game. ### Is Maya Bul a multiplayer game? Yes, Maya Bul is designed for two players. Each player controls a base at opposite ends of the playing area and uses stones of different colors (yellow and red). ### Can Maya Bul be played offline? The description implies a physical board game or a digital adaptation that can be played locally between two players, suggesting offline play is possible. ### What is the age rating for Maya Bul? Maya Bul has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young players and families. ### What devices does Maya Bul support? Maya Bul is currently supported on iPads. ### How much does Maya Bul cost? Maya Bul is a paid application, priced at $0.99. ### When was Maya Bul last updated? Maya Bul was last updated on October 17, 2023. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 4 — 2023-10-17 Aligned to most recent iOS versions. ### 3.0 — 2020-01-13 Graphical interface redesigned ### 2.0 — 2016-12-13 Some graphics features improved. ### 1.0 — 2013-04-30 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Maya Bul | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Gomoku Five in a Row](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gomoku-five-in-a-row/id6444699700) | 4.7 (3) | Free | Games | | [Bullfrogs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bullfrogs/id1568363620) | 5.0 (1) | $4.99 | Games | | [Gaia Project](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gaia-project/id1572302140) | 4.0 (38) | $9.99 | Games | | [Backgammon Offline Board](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-offline-board/id1567037080) | 3.2 (6) | Free | Games | | [Chapayev 2: Best 3D Board game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chapayev-2-best-3d-board-game/id1572491320) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Games | | [LyingMafia](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyingmafia/id1594067460) | — | Free | Games | ## More apps by Luigi Fonti - [NumberGrid](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/numbergrid/id403296516) - [iContour](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icontour/id415873354) - [Ephemerides](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ephemerides/id418361963) - [JeuSolitaire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jeusolitaire/id435887363) - [Proximity Solitaire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/proximity-solitaire/id480518070) - [iEmboss](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iemboss/id483530741) All apps by Luigi Fonti: https://appshunter.io/developer/360904185 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-06.*