Mancala games Rate : 3.2

Classic Two-Player Strategy Board Game

Mancala represents an ancient family of turn-based strategy games played between two opponents using small stones, beans or seeds placed in rows of pits or holes on various playing surfaces. The fundamental goal involves capturing your opponent's game pieces through strategic movement.

Game Variations

This implementation features three popular mancala variants:

• Kalah - The best-known Western variation
• Oware - The most widespread African version
• Congkak - Traditional to Southeast Asia

Game Components

The game includes:

• Game board with 6 small pits ("houses") per side
• Two large end pits ("stores") for captured seeds
• Multiple seeds/counters per player

Basic Gameplay Objective

Players compete to accumulate more seeds in their store than their opponent through tactical sowing and capturing movements.

Kalah Rules Summary

1. Initial setup places 4-6 seeds in each house
2. Players control their six houses and right-side store
3. Turns involve sowing seeds counter-clockwise, skipping opponent's store
4. Special captures occur when landing in empty owned houses
5. Landing in your store grants an additional move
6. Game ends when one player empties their houses - remaining seeds go to opponent

Oware Rules Summary

1. Initial setup mirrors Kalah's seed distribution
2. Sowing skips both stores and starting house
3. Precise captures occur when landing in opponent's houses with 2-3 seeds
4. Chain captures possible with consecutive qualifying houses
5. Special starvation rules apply when opponent has no seeds

Recent Update

Version 1.4.1 - Last updated August 6, 2024
This maintenance release includes various bug fixes and performance improvements.