Mancala
Collect more stones in your store than your opponent.👆
About Mancala
Mancala is one of the oldest board games on earth, and this is Kalah, its most popular modern ruleset. The board is two rows of pits with a store at each end, and a turn is simply this: scoop up all the stones from one of your pits and sow them one by one counter-clockwise, dropping into your own store on the way but skipping your opponent's. Two rules give it its surprising depth. Land your final stone in your own store and you go again — chaining these extra turns is the whole heart of strong play — and land it in an empty pit on your side and you capture that stone plus every stone in the pit straight across, sweeping them into your store. So a good move is not just about now; it is setting up the pit that ends in your store, or leaving one empty to spring a capture later. Late game, hoarding stones on your own side pays off, since each player banks whatever is left on their side when a row empties. Play the computer at three levels or a friend beside you. Free in the browser, no sign-up.
How to play
- On your turn, pick one of your own pits and sow its stones one by one counter-clockwise.
- Sow into your own store (on your right) but skip your opponent’s store.
- If your last stone lands in your store, you take another turn.
- If it lands in an empty pit on your side, capture that stone and the pit directly opposite into your store.
Strategy & tips
- Chain extra turns: a pit with exactly the right number of stones to end in your store lets you move again.
- Set up captures — leave a pit empty so a later sow lands there and grabs a full pit opposite.
- Watch your opponent’s threats; a pit poised to reach their store hands them a free extra move.
- Late game, hoard stones on your own side — when a side empties, each player keeps the stones left on theirs.
- Loading your rightmost pits keeps more sowings ending in your store instead of feeding the opponent.
FAQ
How do you win Mancala?
Collect more stones in your store than your opponent. The game ends when one side’s pits are empty, and each player banks the stones remaining on their own side.
When do I get an extra turn?
Whenever the last stone you sow lands in your own store. Chaining extra turns is the heart of good Mancala play.
How does a capture work?
If your last stone lands in an empty pit on your own side, you capture that stone plus every stone in the pit directly across from it, into your store.
Can I play the computer?
Yes — choose Easy, Medium or Hard. The computer uses real look-ahead, takes captures and chains extra turns. Two-player pass-and-play is also available.