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The Directions to Play Mankala

Mankala is an age-old African counting game that can only be played by two players, unlike other strategy games that can be played by a group of people. Like chess, the game includes simple moves, but it requires a highly complex strategy. The object of the games is to capture more "stones" --- you can use gemstones, coins, marbles or any small trinkets as "stones" --- than the opponent.

Things You'll Need

Mankala board game
Gemstones, coins, marbles or other small trinkets

Instructions

- 1
  Set the board between the two players. The board consists of two rows of six holes and an extra hole called a mankala. Four gemstones, coins, marbles or pennies are placed in each of the 12 main holes. No "stones" are placed in the mankala holes. You may use an egg carton if you don't have the mankala game board.
- 2
  One players picks up all the pieces from one of the holes on his side. Moving counterclockwise, the player drops one "stone" in each hole until all the "stones" have been placed. If the player runs into his own mankala, the player may drop one piece in it; if the player runs into his opponent's mankala, he skips it and moves on to the next hole. If the last stone is dropped in the player's own mankala, he gets a free turn. If the last stone is dropped in an empty hole on the player's side, the player must take the piece and all of his opponent's pieces on the opposite side.
- 3
  End the game when all six main holes on one side of the board are empty.
- 4
  Count all the "stones" in each mankala. The winner is the player with the most "stones" in his mankala.

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