How to play Mancala: Kalah rules step by step
Also known as: Kalah, Oware, Bao, Sowing games
Mancala rules made simple: how to sow seeds, earn extra turns, capture from the opposite pit and win at Kalah. Includes tips and a free online version to try.
- Type
- Board game
- Players
- 2
- Age
- Ages 5+
- Play time
- 10–20 min
- Origin
- Africa and the Middle East; played in many forms worldwide
Mancala is the name of a large family of "sowing" games played with seeds, stones or shells in rows of small pits. These games are found across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, with famous forms such as Oware in West Africa and Bao in East Africa. Archaeologists have found pitted boards carved in stone in several regions, which shows how old and widespread the idea is. The version most often sold in Western countries is Kalah, with two rows of six pits and a large store at each end. All forms share one movement: a player picks up all the seeds from one pit and drops them one by one into the following pits. Simple counting creates surprising strategy.
Our verdict
Mancala trains counting, forward planning and the habit of thinking several moves ahead. Children can play after one explanation, yet adults find real strategy in planning chains of extra turns and setting up captures. A game takes about ten minutes. Moving real seeds or smooth stones is also a pleasant, calm feeling. Because it belongs to so many cultures, it is a good way to talk with children about games around the world. You can try a version on Playdonya in our own game Pebbles.
What works
- Quick to learn and quick to play
- Real strategy based on counting
- Beautiful, tactile game with deep cultural roots
What does not
- Rules differ between regions, which can confuse new players
- Experienced players can win very one-sided games
How to play Mancala (Kalah)
In Kalah, the board has two rows of six small pits and one large store at each end. Each player owns the six pits on their side and the store to their right. Put four seeds in each small pit. On your turn, pick up all seeds from one of your pits and sow them counter-clockwise, one seed per pit, including your own store but skipping your opponent's store. If the last seed lands in your own store, you take another turn. If the last seed lands in an empty pit on your side, and the pit opposite it holds seeds, you capture that last seed and all seeds in the opposite pit and put them into your store. The game ends when all six pits on one side are empty. The other player then moves all seeds still on their side into their own store. The player with more seeds in their store wins.
Tips for new players
- Count how many seeds a pit needs to land exactly in your store and use those moves first.
- Chain extra turns: play the pit closest to your store first, then the next.
- Watch your empty pits; they are your chances to capture.
- Avoid leaving a large pile opposite an empty pit on your opponent's side.
Good for
Mancala (Kalah): common questions
How many seeds go in each pit in Mancala?
In the common Kalah rules, each of the twelve small pits starts with four seeds. Some versions use three or six.
Do you skip your opponent's store in Mancala?
Yes. In Kalah you sow into your own store but always skip your opponent's store.
Where can I play Mancala online for free?
You can play our own sowing game, Pebbles, free in your browser on Playdonya. It follows the same counting and capturing ideas.
Mancala (Kalah) belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
