How to Play Kalah Mancala

THE PLAYBOOK · ARTUTULE4D

How to play Kalah Mancala

Read the aim of Kalah Mancala, then make your first move. When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Identify the playing area and the controls you need. Look at what changes after your first action.

Notice the feedback

Watch the feedback after an action. A message can explain whether the input was accepted or whether a rule needs attention. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins. Keep that objective in view throughout the round. The example below illustrates a decision.

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. Use the control method described here for this activity. Use the visible help when you are unsure of the next input.

A useful example

If your last seed reaches your store, you move again. If your row becomes empty, both stores are settled immediately. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Verify the rule before continuing.

Watch out for this

The stores are scoring areas, not pits you can choose. These are Kalah rules, not every Mancala variant. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use.

Common questions