Scoop stones from your pits and sow them one by one around the board, aiming to collect the most in your store. Clever timing lets you earn extra turns and capture your opponent's stones. This ancient sowing game rewards counting a few moves ahead.
How to play Mancala
- Pick a pit on your side and lift all its stones
- Drop one stone into each pit moving counterclockwise
- Earn another turn if your last stone lands in your store
- Capture opposing stones when your last stone lands in an empty pit on your side
- Finish with the most stones in your store to win
Tips & strategy
- Set up moves that end in your store to chain extra turns
- Watch for empty pits that let you capture across the board
- Hold stones on your side late to control the final scoring
Controls: Tap one of your pits to sow its stones
Mancala — FAQ
How do I get an extra turn?
If the last stone you sow lands in your own store, you immediately take another turn.
How does capturing work?
Landing your last stone in an empty pit on your side captures the stones in the pit directly opposite.
How do you play Mancala?
On your turn you pick up all the stones from one of your pits and sow them one by one into the following pits going around the board. The aim is to collect the most stones in your store by the end of the game.
How do you win at Mancala?
You win by capturing more stones in your store than your opponent once one side's pits are empty. Landing your last stone in your own store earns an extra turn, and finishing in an empty pit on your side can capture the stones across from it.
Can you play Mancala 2 player or against the computer?
Yes, Mancala supports 2 player mode so you can play head to head on the same device, and you can also play against the computer. Both modes are free with no download.
Is Mancala free and does it work offline?
Yes, Mancala is free to play online in your browser with no download or sign-up. It also works fully offline in the free Offline Games Arcade app for iOS and Android.
