Objective of the Game

The goal of Mancala is to collect more seeds or stones in your Mancala, also known as Kalaha or scoring pit, than your opponent. The game ends when there are no more seeds left on the board.

Game Components

• A Mancala board with two rows, each belonging to one player.
• Each row consists of six small pits and there are two larger pits at the ends of the board, called Mancalas.
• 48 seeds or stones.

Setup

• Place four seeds in each of the six small pits on both sides of the board.
• The large pits start empty.
• Each player sits in front of a row, and the large pit on their right side is their Mancala.

Rules of Play

1. Starting the Game: Randomly determine who goes first.

2. Taking a Turn: A player picks up all the seeds from one of their six pits and sows them clockwise, dropping one seed in each subsequent pit, including their own Mancala, but not the opponent's Mancala.

3. Extra Turn: If the last seed is placed in your own Mancala, you get another turn.

4. Capturing Seeds: If the last seed lands in an empty pit in your own row, you capture this seed and any seeds in the opponent's pit directly opposite, placing them in your Mancala.

5. End of Game: The game ends when a player has no seeds in any of their pits. The opponent places all remaining seeds in their own Mancala.

6. Winning: The player with the most seeds in their Mancala wins.

Strategy Considerations

• Plan Moves: Try to plan your moves to get additional turns and to drop seeds into your own empty pits.
• Defense: Keep your pits well-stocked to prevent your opponent from capturing seeds.
• Move Planning: Look ahead several moves to block your opponent or limit their options.

Enjoy playing Mancala! It's simple to learn but rich with tactical potential.