Have you ever wondered if you can play an ancient rock-based game that has been famous since the 6th century and is played in various different forms in one way or another? Mancala is a game that has been around for a long time and there has been evidence supporting that it is over 2000 years or more old. There must be a strong reason for people supporting this gameplay.
In this article, we are going to understand the mancala rules and learn how to play mancala based on the standard version of the game.
What is a Mancala Game?
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Mancala is a board game of ages played for a long time since history in various different forms. This game is an ancient heritage of Ethiopia dating back to the late 6th century, and is still popular in many parts of the world. The word “Mancala” means “to move” which completely depicts the gameplay of Mancala. Some people often said that they saw evidence of Romans playing this game.
The games at Mancala are based on picking, moving, and placing with the most number of rocks, coins, or a similar playable material wins. In this article, let us understand how to play Mancala along with the mancala rules. We will also learn how you can maximize your chance of winning in the Mancala games.
Mancala Game Rules
It is important to understand the Mancala game rules to play a fair game. Here are the basic rules for Mancala game below.
- The board of Mancala consists of two rows of six small pits and two larger pits at each end in the game.
- Each player gets control of six pits on their side and a larger store to their right.
- The game is played on an Oware board of size (2 x 6) metrics.
- At the beginning of the game, each player gets four stones in the small pit on the board.
- Players take turns picking up all the stones from one of their pits in the game and distributing them counterclockwise while dropping one stone per pit while moving.
- You do not have to place stones in the opponent’s store and only place the stones on your side of the board.
- If, while playing, your last stone lands in your own store, you get another turn as a bonus.
- If your last stone lands in the empty hole on your side of the board and you capture that stone, you will get all stones on your opponent’s side just opposite the pit of the player’s store.
- The fun game ends when one player’s pit gets completely empty.
- The other player with stones still left in their pit transfers their stones to the large pit i,e. Store.
- The player with the most stones in their store wins the game, and the game ends.
How to Play Mancala Game?
It is important to be aware of the gameplay of the Mancala game before starting the game with your friends or families. The gameplay of Mancala game is very simple where all you have to do is pick stones, capture, and collect more and more stones.
Setup
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Here’s everything you need to start playing this popular Mancala game.
- A game board is placed between two players. Only two players can play at a time.
- There are six holes on each side of the board, and the player close to the holes takes control of those pits.
- There are larger holes on each side of the mancala board, which is also known as the Store.
- Four stones are placed in each of the six holes in front of each player sitting with the mandalas empty pocket.
- The counters in the hole can be marbles, nuts, seeds, stones, or anything else that fits on the board.
- You can also use empty egg cartons, cups, bowls, cardboard boxes, or more based on what is more easily available to you.
- The color in the holes are not important, you can choose any colors based on your choice.
- The big hole acts as a storage container where players have to place the marbles and count at the end.
- The aim of the game is to capture the most stones and place them on the right side of the board or in the player’s hand.
Number of Players
The minimum and maximum number of players in the Mancala game is two at a time.
Duration of the game
The game of Mancala lasts for around 10 to 20 minutes also depending on the skills exhibited by the players in the game.
The Objective
Players have to collect the most number of stones in the game to win the game from their opponent.
Beginning Phase
In this phase, you have to keep the board between you and your opponent’s side facing you. You will have six rows of holes with a large storage on your right side. The left side belongs to your opponent. The same Mancala rule goes for your opponent’s side. There must be a total of 48 stones in the game which can be made of any material i,e. Marble, pennies, nuts, seeds, stones, etc.
First Phase
- Players have to mutually decide who will go first with any method they want with random toss, paper scissors, coin flip, etc.
- Players have to grab all stones in a hole placed on their side and drop them one by succeeding each hole one by one in the counterclockwise direction until they have used all 48 counters.
- In this phase of the board game, players have to choose one of the holes in front of them with at least one or more counters in it in their turn. Pick up all the stones placed in it.
- The game begins with players starting with any one of their six pockets, removing all of the stones from that pocket, and dropping them one by one in each next pocket on the board.
- They have to put beads or counters around the board in an anticlockwise direction until all the stones are in the hole or pocket.
Extra Turn
- Players have to place a stone in their mancala if they pass beside their own mancala.
- Players can drop stones in the opponent’s pocket as long as they have stones left.
- If the player goes through the other player’s mancala, they do not have to put a stone in their mancala.
- If the player, while placing stones, places their last stone in their own mancala, then they get an extra turn.
- If the player ends their turn by placing stones in their side and the pocket is empty, they put stones in their mancala along with any stones in the opposite pocket belonging to the other player.
- The other player has to take their turn following the same rules of the game as per the rules for mancala game.
- The game completes when one player out of the two empties their pocket and has no stones left to continue in the game any longer.
Scoring in the game
- The game gets over when one player out of the two has no more stones left on their side. His opponent takes all the stones on his side and places them in his own mancala.
- Players with stones remaining in their holes put them in their stores or mancala.
- The counting is done, and players who have more stones in their mancala pockets are identified.
Winning the Game
The winner of mancala is decided by counting the number of stones in the large pocket, which is the store of the board, and the player with the most stones in their store wins the game.
Strategy & Tips for Mancala Game
Let us know some tips which you can use to improve your game of mancala.
- Players who go first in the game have a higher chance of getting an extra turn.
- Players get an extra chance when they drop a stone in their own mancala hole.
- If you drop a stone in your hole, which is empty, then you can take stones from your opponents in the game and place them in your mancala.
- If your opponent in the game plays a hole that is one or two holes away from your mancala, then you can play a hole that is six holes away from your mancala to get a free turn easily.
- Try to get control over your opponent’s moves and leave them with only bad moves by keeping their pits empty and forcing them not to be able to capture.
- You have to use capture to your own advantage and plan it in a way so that you can capture more stones.
- Keep at least one stone on each pit in your side to maintain the balance in the game and try not to empty your side quickly as it will give your opponent access to all your stones.
- In this game of Mancala, the first few moves matter the most, whereas an early free turn can take you ahead.
Curious About This Board Game? The Official Keno Guide – Rules & Advanced Play Options
FAQs
What are the basic rules of the game Mancala?
The Mancala game rules are as below:
- The main objective is to collect the most number of stones in the store as compared to your opponent.
- You cannot take hold of your opponent’s stones or capture stones beyond the Mancala rules.
- Each player has six pits or pockets on their side.
- Players have to keep the right side of the large pocket as a store.
- Four stones are placed in each pit at the start of the game.
- If a player’s last stone lands in their own store, they get a free turn in the game.
- You can take stones from your opponent if your last stone lands in an empty pit on your side.
How do you win in the Mancala Game?
You can win in the Mancala game by collecting the most number of stones as compared to your opponent in the game. Players who lose all their stones first lose the game.
Who loses the game of Mancala?
You will lose the game of mancala when you lose all your stones from your side of the pit and the opponent wins the game having all stones in their store.
Do you put stones in your opponent’s Mancala?
In most of the Mancala games, you cannot put stones in your opponent’s side, you can only put stones in your own store to score points.
What happens if you clear your side on Mancala?
When a player playing mancala empties all stones on their side then the game comes to an end. The player with the most number of stones in their store wins the game.
What are the traditional mancala games?
The most popular variant of the modern game of Kalah in the United States is “Mancala”. There are many variants of mancala games. However, the traditional mancala games are Toguz Kumalak, Bao, Oware, and Congkak.
What is the trick to winning Mancala?
The best trick for winning in a Mancala game is to try to earn free turns by putting the last stone in your store and collecting the maximum number of stones in your store.
Are there different ways to play Mancala?
There are always variants of a game that always make changes in the official rules and give different ways to play. However, we must follow the traditional rules of Mancala game.
What is the basic Mancala strategy?
Always look out for the move where you land your last stone in your store to get a free turn. Try to predict your opponent’s move and act accordingly, and collect as many stones as you can before your opponent uses all their stones.
How do you capture pieces in Mancala?
When you place your last stone in your turn into an empty cup on your side of the board, then you can capture all pieces on the opposite side i,e. Opponent’s pit.
What is the duration of the Mancala game?
If played as per Mancala game rules then one game of Mancala will take around 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
