Objective
The game of Kalaha, also known as Mancala, is a strategic board game usually played by two players. The objective of the game is to collect more stones in your own large pit, known as the Kalaha, than the opponent.
Components
- A Kalaha board consisting of two rows of six small pits (also called "houses") and two larger pits (the Kalahas), one at each end of the board for each player.
- 48 playing stones or seeds, evenly distributed at the beginning of the game.
Setup
- Distribute the Stones: Each of the six small pits on the board is filled with four stones.
- The larger pits (Kalahas) start empty.
Gameplay
- A player's turn consists of picking all the stones from one of their six small pits and distributing them one by one into the subsequent pits in a counterclockwise direction. Your own Kalaha is included, while your opponent's is skipped.
- Last Stone: If the last stone lands in your own empty house, you collect that stone and all stones directly opposite in the opponent's house into your Kalaha.
- Landing in Your Kalaha: If the last stone lands in your own Kalaha, you get an additional turn.
- Players alternate turns until one player's side is completely empty or they choose to stop.
Ending the Game
The game ends when a player has no more stones on their side of the board. The other player puts all remaining stones on their side into their Kalaha.
Winner: The player with the most stones in their Kalaha wins the game.
Strategies and Tips
- Planning: Try to think several moves ahead and consider the opponent's possible moves.
- Earn Extra Turns: Aim to land the last stone in your Kalaha to earn extra turns and collect more stones.
- Blocking Opponent: Use strategic turns to prevent your opponent from gaining extra moves.
- Prevent Theft: Be mindful of leaving your houses empty, which allows opponents to capture stones from your side.
Kalaha is simple to learn yet deeply strategic, suitable for both children and adults. As there are no luck factors, strategy and foresight are key.
