How many seeds start in each pit?

You choose between 3 and 6 seeds per pit on the title screen. More seeds make longer, more complex games.

You always make the first move against the computer, so you can open with a move that earns an extra turn.

How strong is the Hard computer?

Hard looks many moves ahead and favours extra turns and captures, so careful counting is needed to beat it.

How to Win at Mancala: Tips & Strategy

Mancala looks gentle, but it is a game of counting. Our version uses Kalah rules: six pits per side, extra turns when your last seed lands in your store, and captures from empty pits. A few habits, like counting seeds before every move, will beat the computer on Easy quickly and give you real chances on Hard. Here is how to think about each move.

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Count for extra turns

A pit that holds exactly as many seeds as its distance from your store ends in your store and earns another turn. The pit next to your store needs one seed, the one before it two, and so on. Look for these pits first on every move. With four seeds per pit, the third pit from your left lands exactly in your store as an opening move.

Chain your moves

Extra turns can be chained. Play the pit that ends in your store, then look again, because sowing changed the counts. Moving the pit closest to your store first often keeps the other counts intact, letting you take two or three turns in a row. A chain of extra turns is the strongest thing you can do in Mancala.

Set up and avoid captures

If your last seed lands in an empty pit on your side, you capture it and every seed in the pit opposite. Before each move, check which of your rival's pits are empty and which of yours face them. A big pile facing an empty rival pit is in danger. Sometimes the best move simply moves a big pile out of reach.

Keep seeds on your side

Seeds sown past your store land on your rival's side and can be counted for them later. Large pits on the left of your row travel furthest, so sow them when they also end somewhere useful, such as a capture spot. Keeping a few seeds in your right-hand pits gives you small, safe moves when you need them.

Win the endgame

The game ends when one side is empty, and the other player keeps every seed still on their own side. Near the end, count the total: if your store plus your side beats half the seeds, you can play to empty your side quickly. If you are behind, try to keep seeds on your side and force your rival to run out first.

Questions

How many seeds start in each pit?: You choose between 3 and 6 seeds per pit on the title screen. More seeds make longer, more complex games.
Who moves first?: You always make the first move against the computer, so you can open with a move that earns an extra turn.
How strong is the Hard computer?: Hard looks many moves ahead and favours extra turns and captures, so careful counting is needed to beat it.

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