Mancala/Mankala
(Click the ones with the border to zoom)

Mancala is a deceptively simple game which has been around for many thousands of years. It's origin is thought to be Egyptian/Africian. Above are three boards I've carved - complete with semi precious stones. Wealthy players in times long past may have used expensive gems and played for keeps or wagered to odd slave or concubine. In Brisbane at least boards are becoming more readily available. If you can't get a board you can improvise using an egg carton and 2 cups. Since the first version of this page I've found another set of rules but this is how I was taught.

To demonstrate the rules of the game I'll use a series of tables. Hopefully the resemblence to the board is obvious. The numbers respresent the number of stones in each pit. I'll explain the rules as I go.
We start with three stones in each of the six small pits each player has. The larger pits at the ends of the board are capture areas called calas. The photo (and tables) show the board as I would see it as I was playing. The bottom six pits are where I move from and the cala on my right is mine. The winner is the person with the most captured stones at the end of the game.

0

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

0

The table above shows the starting arrangement. In this demo I'll start. How you decide which player starts is a exercise for the reader. "You" can be the other player but this time I'll move on your behave.

0

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

<0>

4

4

1

To move I take all the stones in one of my pits and place one stone in each of the following pits traveling right till I run out of stones. The pit I moved from is now empty and I'll mark it <0> to make it more obvious. The last stone went into the cala where it will remain for the rest of the game - ie it's captured, stones are not moved from the cala. Because the last stone landed in my cala I get another turn.

0

3

3

3

0

3

3

<0>

4

4

1

4

4

4

I take a second turn and move my left most stones as shown.
Becasue the last stone lands in an empty pit on my side of the board I capture any of your stones that lie it the pit opposite the last stone (above in this table). Look at the table and see the zero on your side and note my cala now has four stones.

1

4

4

<0>

0

3

3

0

4

4

1

4

4

4

For your move(s) you minor what I did. Of course you move to your right or counter clock wise.

5

4

4

1

1

4

<0>

0

4

0

1

4

4

4

You copy my second move but capture four stones bringing you into the lead by one.

5

4

4

1

1

5

1

0

4

0

1

<0>

5

5

I move four stones, note that two of them ended up on your side of the board. Also note that I'm set up to capture five stones in my next move - unless you do something about it. You could move the 5 or mirror my move and treaten me as well.

6

5

5

2

2

<0>

1

0

4

0

1

0

5

5

You moved them and get another move.

7

6

<0>

2

2!

0

1

1

5

1

1

0

5

5

You move and now threaten my 5 stones, ie you can move the stones I've marked 2! and capture my 5.

7

6

0

3

3

1

2

1

5

1

1

0

<0>

6

I could have moved the threaten 5 away but instead I'll show you another way. I moved the other 5 stones - the last one went into the pit I'd previously called 2!, it now has 3 stones in it and you can no long capture anything. I now threaten one of your stones.
At this point I'll tell you the last rule.
The game ends when one player can't move because they've run out of stones. When one player can't move the other player keeps whatever remains on their side. At some point the strategy usually changes into not being the one to run out of stones.

In our game here - you have a lot more stones on your side, if you can prevent me getting any you've won. However my stones a in better positions. You can't move the 6 stones without giving most to me - your move.

8

<0>

0

3

3

1

2

2

6

2

2

1

0

6

After much thought you move the 6 stones around, none of the other options look hopeful.

8

0

0

3

3

1

0

2

6

2

2

<0>

1

8

Ponder ponder - take 2 and loose 2? why not.

Your move.

9

1

1

<0>

3

1

0

2

6

2

2

0

1

8

and again

10

<0>

1

0

3

1

0

2

6

2

2

0

1

8

once more

12

1

<0>

0

3

1

0

0

6

2

2

0

1

8

At this point I think we'll just keep whatever we have - unless someone stuffs up.
Mine...

12

1

0

0

3

1

0

0

6

2

2

0

<0>

9

Yours...

13

<0>

0

0

3

1

0

0

6

2

2

0

0

9

again.

13

1

1

1

<0>

1

0

0

6

2

2

0

0

9

Me.

13

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

6

<0>

3

1

0

10

You.

14

<0>

1

1

0

0

0

0

6

0

3

1

0

10

Again.

14

1

<0>

1

0

0

0

0

6

0

3

1

0

10

Me.

14

1

0

1

0

0

1

0

<0>

1

4

2

1

11

You did get one of mine and will now capture another 2 and one more will come your way soon. You'e now sure to win. See how easily the tide turns in this game.

You.

16

1

0

1

0

1

<0>

0

0

1

4

0

1

11

Ouch and more to come.

Me.

16

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

1

<0>

1

2

12

You.

17

<0>

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

2

12

Again.

17

0

1

<0>

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

1

2

12

Me.

17

0

1

0

0

1

2

0

0

1

0

1

<0>

13

You.

17

0

1

0

1

2

<0>

0

0

1

0

1

0

13

Me.

17

0

1

0

0

2

<0>

0

0

<0>

1

1

0

14

You.

17

0

1

1

1

<0>

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

14

Me.

17

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

<0>

1

14

Hopefully you can see the game will end with you having 20 stones to my 16. We would not bother playing out the last few moves once it's obvious how it will end. It would take another 6 moves to get my remaining 2 stones into the cala and end the game. I could still give you another piece if I screwed up but I wouldn't.

Alternate rules. I've seen another version which is played with 4 stones per pit. Other differences are the stone used to capture is removed and placed in the Cala along with the captured stone and a capture gives a free turn. Also you don't place a stone in your opponents Cala when going around the board.