About Mancala
Mancala is a family of sowing games. People have played games in this family for centuries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, under many local names. The rules on this page are the six-pit, four-seed version common in the United States. Each player begins with six pits and a store. The board starts with four seeds in every pit, so both sides have the same position. You can play against a computer or share one screen with a friend. The first player has an advantage, but good choices matter throughout the game.
How to play
Your pits are the bottom row and your store is on the right. Tap or click a pit on your side that has seeds. Pick up all its seeds and drop them one at a time into the next pits, moving counter-clockwise. Include your own store, but skip the other player's store. If you have enough seeds to go around the board, keep sowing; you can drop a seed back into the pit you started from. In 2 players mode, Player 2 uses the top row. The board stays in the same position for both people.
If your last seed lands in your store, you get another move. If it lands in an empty pit on your own side and the opposite pit has seeds, move that last seed and all the opposite seeds into your store. An empty opposite pit means no capture. The game ends when a whole row is empty after a move. Any seeds left on the other row go to that player's store. The higher score wins; equal stores mean a draw.
On a keyboard, focus a pit and use the arrow keys to move focus along the current player's row. Press Enter or Space to sow. Press U to undo, H for a hint, or N for a new game. Undo takes you back to your previous turn against the computer, including its replies. In 2 players mode, it takes back one move. On a phone, the same controls are large enough to tap, and you can swipe the page to read more.
Tips
Look for a pit whose seeds reach your store exactly. That gives you another turn. Watch empty pits on your side: a last seed landing there may capture the seeds opposite. Keep some seeds on your side near the end, so the other player cannot end the game while your remaining seeds are swept away. Check what your opponent might capture next. A hint shows a strong move, and Undo lets you try a different plan.
FAQ
Is Mancala free?
Yes. You can play every mode free in your browser, with no download or account.
Who goes first?
You go first against the computer. In two-player mode, Player 1 goes first.
What happens when one side is empty?
The game ends and all seeds left on the other side go into that player's store. The higher store wins.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Choose 2 players and take turns on the same screen.
Does it work on phones?
Yes. Tap a pit to sow its seeds. You can also play with a mouse or keyboard.