How to Play Kalah Mancala

THE PLAYBOOK · ODMON

How to play Kalah Mancala

Use a short break to learn the rhythm of Kalah Mancala. When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins. Look at what changes after your first action. Read the objective before making your first input. Use the example below to understand a decision.

Make the controls familiar

Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart. Use the example to check your reasoning.

Your goal

When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Notice how the game responds to your input.

Step by step

1. Player 1 uses the bottom six pits; Player 2 uses the top six.
2. Choose a non-empty pit on your side and sow its seeds one at a time.
3. Include your own store but skip the opponent’s store. Ending in your store grants another turn.
4. Ending in an empty pit on your own side captures that seed and the opposite seeds, when the opposite pit is non-empty.

Controls

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.

A useful example

If your last seed reaches your store, you move again. If your row becomes empty, both stores are settled immediately. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Choose a deliberate next step.

Watch out for this

The stores are scoring areas, not pits you can choose. These are Kalah rules, not every Mancala variant. Compare the situation with the worked example. Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board.

Common questions