How to play... MANCALA!!!

The first in a series of Instructables (well, I might not make the others... I'll try to remember) known as "How to play...". In this series, I will teach you how to play some popular and fun board games, as well as give you some strategy, which makes it different from the poorly worded, unillustrated sheet of paper that comes in the box. _{Don't forget to vote!}

In this first Instructable (in the series, anyways), I will teach you how to play an age-old game called... MANCALA!!!

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Step 1: Vocabulary and set up

Before the game begins, place the board between you and your opponent, long side facing you. You will see two rows of six "holes", with a long "mancala" on each end. The board is divided into two parts: Your side and mancala, and your opponent's side and mancala. Your side is the six holes closest to you, and your mancala is to your right. The same is for your opponent; their side is the six holes closest to them and their mancala is to their right.

To set up, place four "stones" in each hole, excluding the mancalas. This should total 48 stones. (A stone can be anything small; pennies, marbles, in my case some glass counters that came with the set).

noob006 says: Jan 4, 2013. 5:51 AM

i before know how to play it now i forgot how to

ginger20037 says: Oct 3, 2011. 9:52 PM

I learned to play Mancala when I was little, but I learned a different way, I'm not sure if they missed a step, or I forgot it, or if it's a different version, but Mancala is still my favorite game. :)

Jens24 says: Sep 24, 2011. 1:03 PM

I learned Mancala many years ago and have played different games online, on my Mac and iPad and I think you forgot a step. If my stones end in a empty pocket on my side and the opposite side has stones my and all his go to my mancala.
Enjoy!

ToddisI says: Aug 29, 2010. 10:15 AM

LOL, ty, ive had a set that came with no instructions, that helped alot

Mister_Caipirinha says: Apr 14, 2009. 10:13 AM

Player 2 is the first to empty his side, so his opponent puts all the remaining stones on his side in his mancala

Is his here Player 1 or Player 2?

idk339 in reply to Mister_CaipirinhaMar 4, 2010. 7:43 PM

His is player 1

bumpus says: Jul 25, 2008. 6:22 PM

I PWN at Mancala!

YummyPancakes (author) in reply to bumpusJul 25, 2008. 7:25 PM

You should play against me sometime then >:D

bumpus in reply to YummyPancakesJul 26, 2008. 7:48 AM

What do you mean play against you... I would DOMINATE against you! :D

YummyPancakes (author) in reply to bumpusJul 26, 2008. 11:47 AM

I thought you said you PWN, not DOMINATE.

bumpus in reply to YummyPancakesJul 26, 2008. 1:09 PM

I shall do both...

fwjs28 in reply to bumpusMay 26, 2009. 2:12 PM

Huzzah!

Chefboy6382 in reply to bumpusJul 25, 2008. 6:35 PM

thats cool...PWN is the most awesomely awesome thing ever

b-train says: Mar 13, 2009. 5:32 PM

Heaps good ible, i used to try and play this game on those 3310 fones or wateva (its called bantumi) n i never got it, then my friend tought me a while back, its pretty fun, although in step three when u are explaining winners u say that player 2 wins because they have 27 and player 2 loses coz only 21, hehe u say player 2 twice

puzzlefreak says: Aug 17, 2008. 7:03 PM

Ah, Mancala. The memories this game brings back to me! Cheers!

YummyPancakes (author) says: Jul 28, 2008. 1:02 PM

Up next: Chess!

NeonLime says: Jul 26, 2008. 3:05 AM

Thank you VERY much. I love Mancala and forgot how to play it. Great instructable.

kevin479 says: Jul 25, 2008. 6:55 PM

its pretty cool that this is posted My wife found this game at a yard sale today with no instructions and we were confused as to how to play. thanks for the help

YummyPancakes (author) in reply to kevin479Jul 25, 2008. 7:24 PM

:) Glad you liked it, it makes me feel good to have three comments already! Btw thanks for voting (I think it's you, since you said thanks. It might be bumpus or Chefboy6382)