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How to Play the Game Sungka

Sungka is a Philipino game that is played using a long wooden board into which there are two rows of carved holes. Each row has seven holes, and at the end of the board on each end, there is a wider hole that spans both rows, called "heads." The game of Sungka requires two players and 49 game pieces. The aim of the game is to be the first player to deposit all the game pieces into your "head."

Instructions

- 1
  Distribute the 49 game pieces (marbles, shells, pebbles or similar) into alternating holes. There should be seven game pieces in every other hole, except in the two "head" holes which stay empty.
- 2
  Decide what row each player will be responsible for, the left or right. The "head" hole to the right of each player belongs to that player. Place the board so that one person is on each side, with the board running horizontally between players.
- 3
  Pick a player to start the game. The first player grabs all the pieces in the hole at the far left on their side and begins to distribute one piece in each of the holes, working clockwise around the board. The player does not put a piece in the other player's "head" but puts a piece in his own head.
- 4
  Continue distributing pieces in the holes. When the first player empties their last piece into a hole that contains more pieces, they must pick up all the pieces and continue relocating them. His turn is up when they put a piece into an empty hole on the opponent's side.
- 5
  Play the game, alternating turns, until all the pieces are located in both "head" holes. Each player must count his pieces---the player with the most pieces in his "head" wins the game.

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