Nouplo

Mancala

Sow, capture and fill your store — the ancient counting game.

Bottom player · you0
Top player · computer0
Your move
Your record (Medium): Won 0Lost 0Drawn 0

Kalah rules: seeds are sown one per pit counter-clockwise, skipping the opponent’s store. Last seed in your store: another turn. Last seed in an empty pit on your side: it and the seeds opposite go to your store (no capture when the opposite pit is empty). When either row is empty the game ends and the seeds left go to their own side’s store; most seeds wins. Who moves first alternates from game to game.

Tap a pit on your side, or Tab to it and press Enter.

Nothing leaves your device

This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you type, play or record here stays on your device: nothing is uploaded or saved on a server.

How it works

  1. Choose the rules — Kalah, Turkish mangala or awalé — and the computer and its level, or a friend.
  2. Pick a pit on your side: its seeds are sown one by one counter-clockwise; end in your store for another turn.
  3. End in an empty pit of yours to capture the seeds opposite; when a row is empty, the most seeds wins.

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules of mancala?
In Kalah, the default here, each player has six pits and a store. Take all the seeds from one of your pits and sow them one per pit counter-clockwise, including your own store but not your opponent’s. Most seeds in your store at the end wins.
How do extra turns and captures work?
If your last seed lands in your store, you move again. If it lands in an empty pit on your side and the pit opposite has seeds, you capture both into your store.
Which rules can I play?
Kalah, the best-known version in Europe and America; Turkish mangala, where the first stone goes back into its pit and an even count in an opponent’s pit is captured; and awalé (oware), played across West Africa, with no stores and captures of 2 or 3. The rules of the chosen game are shown under the board.
Any tips?
Count the seeds: a pit with exactly the number of seeds needed to reach your store gives a free move. Keep seeds on your side late in the game and watch for empty pits the opponent can capture into.
Is anything sent anywhere?
No. The game runs in your browser.

Related tools

⧈ Nine men’s morris Three in a line takes a piece — the ancient game of mills. ⚄ Backgammon Roll, run, hit and bear off — the classic dice race. ◑ Reversi Trap a line of discs between two of yours and flip them all. ⛂ Checkers Jump, capture, crown — by the rules your country plays.