Objective of the Game
Mancala, also known as the Bean Game, is a classic strategy game that aims to collect more seeds (or beans) than your opponent in your own store.
Game Components
- A board with two rows of six pits each (some variants may have more).
- Four seeds (beans, stones, etc.) in each pit at the start of the game.
- Two larger pits at the ends of the board known as stores or "Kalahas," which serve as the collection vessels for the players.
Setup
- Each player sits on one long side of the board.
- Each pit receives four seeds.
- The larger pit on the right side of a player is their personal store.
Gameplay
- The younger player starts first (or whoever is agreed upon).
- A turn consists of choosing a pit on your side, removing all seeds from it, and placing one seed in each of the subsequent pits in a clockwise manner. The count includes your own store but not the opponent's.
Special Rules of Play
- If the last seed lands in your store, you get another turn.
- If the last seed lands in an empty pit on your side, you capture all seeds from the opposite pit of the opponent and the placed seed into your store. This happens rarely and requires strategic planning.
End of the Game
- The game ends when all six pits on one side are empty.
- The remaining seeds on the opponent's side are placed into their store.
Goal and Scoring
- The winner is the player with the most seeds in their store at the end of the game.
Strategic Tips
- Planning and anticipation are crucial to influence your opponent’s moves.
- Forcing extra turns can give you a significant advantage.
- Avoid allowing your opponent to end in an empty row pit, granting them a "capture."
- Be mindful of how you place your last seeds, especially towards the end of the game, to avoid seed blockades that could grant your opponent many points.
