Welcome to Mancala for Beginners!

1. Welcome to Mancala for Beginners!

2. Mancala Origins: Some say Mancala may be the oldest board game in the world. It has many different names such as Kalaha and Wari. It has lasted so long because it is relatively easy to play and can be played with many different mediums. People often use marbles, pebbles, shells, seeds, or beads. There are many variations on the game. The one we will play today is based on some general rules. Marta Belfrage

3. Mancala Directions: • The OBJECT of the game is to be the player to collect the most marbles in your mancala. Marta Belfrage

4. The six small bowls closest to the player and the Mancala, or score pit, to the player’s right “belong” to him. Set up for play by placing 4 marbles in each of the small bowls. Mancala Directions: Marta Belfrage

5. Player 1 begins by scooping up the marbles from one of his small bowls. Moving in a counter-clockwise manner, player 1 places one marble into each small bowl until he has no more marbles in his hand. Mancala Directions: Marta Belfrage

6. Mancala Directions: • If player 1 reaches his own mancala, he drops a marble into it but does NOT place marbles into his opponent’s mancala. Marta Belfrage

7. Mancala Directions: • If player 1 ends in his own mancala, he receives another turn. • Player 2 begins his turn when player 1 is done. Marta Belfrage

8. Mancala Directions: • Play continues until one player no longer has any marbles in his small bowls. • All of the remaining marbles are then placed into the other player’s mancala. Marta Belfrage

9. Mancala Directions: Winning the Game The player with the most marbles WINS!! Marta Belfrage

10. Playing Mancala Online • On the next page you can play an online variation of mancala. • When you are finished playing online, please press the esc key. • Have Fun and Good Luck! Marta Belfrage

11. Marta Belfrage