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How to Play Mancala

tutorial how to play mancala

By Timothy A RowlandPublished 2 years ago 6 min read
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Photo by: Timothy A Rowland. Created via Canva.com

What is Mancala?

Mancala is a family of board games played around the world, with many different names and variations. The name mancala comes from the Arabic word nakl, meaning "move".

The basic premise of most mancala games is to collect as many stones or seeds as possible in your own "store". The game is usually played on a board with 12-14 pits, and each player has six pits (or houses) to start with. Players take turns moving the stones, and the goal is to have the most stones in your store at the end of the game.

There are many different ways to play mancala, but we'll go over the basic rules of how to play one of the most popular variations, Kalah.

How to Play Kalah

Kalah is a two-player game that is played on a board with six pits and six stores, for a total of 12 pits. Each player has their own store, and the goal of the game is to have the most stones in your store at the end of the game.

To set up the game, each player takes turns placing four stones in each of their six pits. Once all 12 pits have been filled, the game is ready to begin.

Players take turns moving the stones around the board. On your turn, you must choose one of your own pits to start from. You then take all of the stones from that pit and move them clockwise around the board, dropping one stone in each pit until you reach the end. If you drop the last stone in your own store, you get to take another turn. If you drop the last stone in an empty pit on your opponent's side of the board, you capture all of the stones from that pit and put them in your own store. The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

Kalah can be a fun and challenging game for all ages. With a little practice, you'll be a pro in no time!

Mancala Rules

There are many different variations of mancala, so there are no solid rules that are followed everywhere. However, there are some general guidelines that most mancala games follow. We'll go over the basic rules of how to play mancala, so you can get started playing right away.

To set up the game, each player takes turns placing four stones in each of their six pits. Once all 12 pits have been filled, the game is ready to begin.

Players take turns moving the stones around the board. On your turn, you must choose one of your own pits to start from. You then take all of the stones from that pit and move them clockwise around the board, dropping one stone in each pit until you reach the end. If you drop the last stone in your own store, you get to take another turn. If you drop the last stone in an empty pit on your opponent's side of the board, you capture all of the stones from that pit and put them in your own store. The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

There are many different variations of mancala, so there are no solid rules that are followed everywhere. However, there are some general guidelines that most mancala games follow. We'll go over the basic rules of how to play mancala, so you can get started playing right away.

To set up the game, each player takes turns placing four stones in each of their six pits. Once all 12 pits have been filled, the game is ready to begin.

Players take turns moving the stones around the board. On your turn, you must choose one of your own pits to start from. You then take all of the stones from that pit and move them clockwise around the board, dropping one stone in each pit until you reach the end. If you drop the last stone in your own store, you get to take another turn. If you drop the last stone in an empty pit on your opponent's side of the board, you capture all of the stones from that pit and put them in your own store. The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

How to Win Mancala

The goal of the game is to have the most stones in your store at the end of the game. The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

There are many different variations of mancala, so there are no solid rules that are followed everywhere. However, there are some general guidelines that most mancala games follow. We'll go over the basic rules of how to play mancala, so you can get started playing right away.

How to Capture in Mancala

If you drop the last stone in an empty pit on your opponent's side of the board, you capture all of the stones from that pit and put them in your own store.

There are many different variations of mancala, so there are no solid rules that are followed everywhere. However, there are some general guidelines that most mancala games follow. We'll go over the basic rules of how to play mancala, so you can get started playing right away.

Ending the Game

The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

There are many different variations of mancala, so there are no solid rules that are followed everywhere. However, there are some general guidelines that most mancala games follow. We'll go over the basic rules of how to play mancala, so you can get started playing right away.

Basic Rules of Mancala

Here are the basic rules of how to play mancala:

-To set up the game, each player takes turns placing four stones in each of their six pits. Once all 12 pits have been filled, the game is ready to begin.

-Players take turns moving the stones around the board. On your turn, you must choose one of your own pits to start from. You then take all of the stones from that pit and move them clockwise around the board, dropping one stone in each pit until you reach the end. If you drop the last stone in your own store, you get to take another turn.

-If you drop the last stone in an empty pit on your opponent's side of the board, you capture all of the stones from that pit and put them in your own store.

-The game ends when all six pits on one player's side are empty. The player with the most stones in their store at the end of the game is the winner.

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About the Creator

Timothy A Rowland

I’m an every day human Xennial from the United States. I have many interest. I just want to improve your life and maybe entertain you. Available for editing and LeadsLeap projects at: https://www.fiverr.com/greyhatcompany

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