Mancala

What is Mancala?

Mancala is the name of a family of very old games, born in Africa and the Middle East, in which seeds are moved between the pits of a board. Here you play with the most common rules: six pits each with four seeds in each, and one store per player. By counting the seeds carefully you earn extra turns and capture your opponent's seeds. Challenge the computer or play with two players.

How to play

• Tap a pit in your row that has seeds: you pick them all up and sow them one per pit counter-clockwise, including your own store (but not your opponent's).
• If your last seed lands in your store, you play again.
• If your last seed lands in an empty pit of yours and the pit opposite has seeds, you capture both into your store.
• The game ends when one row is empty: the remaining seeds go to the player whose row they're in. Whoever has more seeds in their store wins.
• Against the computer: your points are the seeds in your store, plus 50 if you win and 20 if you draw.

Tips

• Count the seeds: a pit that ends exactly in your store gives you an extra turn.
• Empty the pits closest to your store first to set up more extra turns.
• Keep an eye on your opponent's empty pits: a seed landing there can capture yours.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mancala free?

Yes: Mancala is free and you can play it right away in your browser, with nothing to download and no sign-up.

Can I play Mancala on my phone?

Yes: Mancala works on phones, tablets and computers, with your finger, the mouse or the keyboard.

Can two people play Mancala?

Yes: choose “2 players” at the start and take turns on the same screen.

How do you play Mancala?

Tap a pit in your row that has seeds: you pick them all up and sow them one per pit counter-clockwise, including your own store (but not your opponent's). If your last seed lands in your store, you play again. If your last seed lands in an empty pit of yours and the pit opposite has seeds, you capture both into your store. The game ends when one row is empty: the remaining seeds go to the player whose row they're in. Whoever has more seeds in their store wins. Against the computer: your points are the seeds in your store, plus 50 if you win and 20 if you draw.

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