The third game is simply called Bao (although Bao is a generic term referring to a number of Mancala games played in East Africa). Oware Nam Nam is a game played on the same board by children in and around Ghana although it is just as complicated and quite different to Oware. Oware (or variants of it) is the most commonly played Mancala game in international competition. The first game listed here is Oware which is played on a two-rank Mancala board and which is common to West Africa and the Caribbean. Throughout Africa, the West Indies, India and Arabia literally hundreds of variations exist. Some top-notch strategies for winning a mancala game are listed above we hope you find them useful.Probably more than any other game, variations of the board game Mancala are multitudinous. In an instance where your opponent short of stones, you are making sure every stone that lands in that spot is yours when the game ends

If you’re not using a capture rule, an easy trick is to select one of the holes in your row and leave the Mancala pieces in it untouched.

If you suspect that your opponent may capture the contents of a hole, then you should hone your defensive strategy to prevent that. To prevent this, it’s best to take count of the stones that are in other holes to ensure that your opponent is incapable of placing his Mancala last piece in your hole. If another on this spot, then you’ll definitely lose everything in that hole to your opponent.

If you use the capture-rule to play, keep in mind all time that your opponent’s empty hole is in front of many of your pebbles.

This enables you to take on a defensive mode swiftly when your opponent makes a move. This is a proven strategy to help you win the mancala game when you go second.

Play the second cup from the left side if you go second.

Due to this, emptying the pit on the rightmost fast is a strong strategy.Īfter emptying the hole, every time you drop a stone in it, your next immediate line of action is to throw the stone into its mancala area to get a point and also get another move. You will also get the opportunity to take another round. Every time you take one stone out of this hole as you will be rewarded with a point.

That’s because your right hole is right beside your Mancala store. Empty the hole on the furthest part of the right at the beginning of the game.However, the hole furthest on the right is much more preferable to move because it’s best if it’s empty. Each of them ensures that the stone flows into the third hole of your opponent, thereby, stopping them from executing the same strategy as you. To play your next move, when you go first, it’s best to pick your Mancala seeds from the right side more or other holes further to the right.Going first gives you the ample opportunity to score a point(s) and put your opponent on the defensive. This will give you a headstart and allow you to play again before your turn.

Doing this will ensure that your last piece lands in your mancala area. Do you want to go first? It is advisable to start with your third hole.The article will break down some proven strategies for winning mancala games below. Hence, the player should note and agree on the rules before the game commences.

And because of the widespread fame of the game, there are many variations in playing the games. There’s no doubt that Mancala is a very old game that has managed to stay fairly relevant in this generation.

Mancala capture rules