How to Play Kalah Mancala

THE PLAYBOOK · SLTPPF

How to play Kalah Mancala

This SLTPPF page combines Kalah Mancala with a guide to the decisions it asks you to make. When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins. Use build a repeatable approach to give your round a clear purpose.

Build a repeatable approach

Try a consistent sequence of observing, choosing and checking the result. Keep the sequence even when the position or challenge changes.

Your goal

When either row of six pits is empty, remaining seeds go to their owner’s store. The larger store wins.

Step by step

1. Player 1 uses the bottom six pits; Player 2 uses the top six.
2. Choose a non-empty pit on your side and sow its seeds one at a time.
3. Include your own store but skip the opponent’s store. Ending in your store grants another turn.
4. Ending in an empty pit on your own side captures that seed and the opposite seeds, when the opposite pit is non-empty.

Controls

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.

A useful example

If your last seed reaches your store, you move again. If your row becomes empty, both stores are settled immediately.

Watch out for this

The stores are scoring areas, not pits you can choose. These are Kalah rules, not every Mancala variant.

Common questions