Mancala is a classic sowing game played on a board of twelve pits and two stores. You pick up all the seeds of one of your pits and drop one into each following pit, counter-clockwise. Finish in your own store to move again, or end in an empty pit of yours to capture the seeds opposite. This version follows the common sowing-game rules and offers three computer levels or a game for two on one screen. Play Mancala free online in your browser — no download or sign-up needed.
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Pick one of your pits (bottom row) to pick up its seeds and sow them one by one counter-clockwise, including your store on the right. Finish in your store for another turn. Finish in an empty pit of yours with seeds across from it to capture both. The side that runs out of seeds ends the game; the other side keeps its seeds.
Collect more seeds in your store than your opponent.
Starting a game
Every pit holds four seeds. You play the bottom row and move first against the computer.
Rules
Pick up all seeds from one of your pits and sow them one by one counter-clockwise, including your own store but skipping your opponent’s store.
If your last seed lands in your store, you move again.
If your last seed lands in an empty pit on your side and the pit opposite has seeds, you capture those seeds and your last seed and put them in your store.
The game ends when one side has no seeds left; the other player keeps all seeds on their side.
Controls
Mouse or touch: click or tap one of your pits
Keyboard: keys 1 to 6 choose a pit
Keyboard: N new game
Winning and losing
The player with more seeds in their store wins; equal stores are a draw.
Tips and Strategies
Plan moves that end exactly in your store to get extra turns.
Keep seeds in your rightmost pits as setup for the store.
Watch the pit opposite an empty pit of yours: that is a capture chance.
Think about your opponent’s captures before you empty a pit.
Late in the game, keep seeds on your side so you collect them at the end.
