How to Play Mancala
Mancala is typically played with 4 stones in each space initially. However, starting with 2 stones in each space is easier and faster to learn, especially for children. You can start by using stones, pennies, or small chips as counters and placing them on the provided board or making your own. You will need 48 stones for the standard game or 24 for the 2-stone game.
To set up the game, place 4 stones in each of the 12 round spaces and leave the larger ovals (called the ‘Store’) empty. Stone color does not matter. Place the board horizontally between two players with 12 small pockets in two rows of six, with each player controlling the six pockets on their side. The two larger pockets at the end of each row are called “Mancalas,” and each player owns the Mancala to their right. Put four stones in each pocket.
On a turn, a player picks up all the stones in any pocket on their side of the board and moves them counterclockwise around the board, dropping one seed in each pocket until they run out. If they run into their own Mancala, they drop one seed in it. If they run into the opponent’s Mancala, they skip that pocket.
When their last seed lands in an empty pocket on their side, they capture that piece and any pieces in the opposite pocket and put all the captured pieces in their store. The game ends when one player has no more stones in their six circles. The player with the most stones in their pile wins the game.
