Mancala (Kalaha)

Aim: The object of the game is to capture more stones than your opponent.

1. The Mancala board is made up of two rows of six holes, or ‘pits’, each.
2. Four stones are placed in each of the 12 holes. (The color of the pieces is irrelevant and there are spare pieces in case you lose some.)
3. Each player has a store (called a Mancala) to the right side of the board.
4. The game begins with one player picking up all of the pieces in any one of the holes on their side.
5. Moving counter-clockwise, the player deposits one of the stones in each hole until the stones run out.
6. If you run into your own store, deposit one piece in it. If you run into your opponent’s store, skip it.
7. If the last piece you drop is in your own store, you get a free turn.
8. If the last piece you drop is in an empty hole on your side, you capture that piece and any pieces in the hole directly opposite.
9. Always place all captured pieces in your store.
10. The game ends when all six spaces on one side of the Mancala board are empty.
11. The player who still has pieces on his side of the board when the game ends capture all of those pieces.
12. Count all the pieces in each store. The winner is the player with the most pieces!