Rules of Mancala

Game Setup

The Mancala board has 14 pits: 12 small pits (6 on each side) and 2 large pits (stores) at the ends. At the start of the game, 4 stones are placed in each of the 12 small pits. The stores are empty.

Objective

The goal is to collect more stones in your store than your opponent by the end of the game.

Gameplay

• Taking a turn: On your turn, select one of the pits on your side of the board. Take all stones from that pit and distribute them counterclockwise, one stone per pit, including your store but skipping your opponent's store.
• Extra turn: If the last stone you drop lands in your store, you get another turn.
• Capturing stones: If the last stone you drop lands in an empty pit on your side, you capture that stone and all stones in the pit directly opposite on your opponent's side. All captured stones go into your store.

Game End

The game ends when all six pits on one side of the board are empty. When this happens, the player with stones remaining on their side captures those stones and adds them to their store. The player with the most stones in their store wins.

Special Rules

• Skipping opponent's store: When distributing stones, you always skip your opponent's store.
• Ties: If both players have the same number of stones in their stores at the end of the game, it's a tie.