Mancala

Collect resources

You will need:

• a game board (this can be created using an old egg carton, cups or by drawing on a piece of paper)

• 48 counters (or other items such as beans, dried pasta, LEGO bricks, paper clips or buttons). They do not need to be the same object. Place 4 items in each hole.

• someone to play with (you can also play this game in teams so you can share your brainpower!)

Getting ready to play

• Each player sits opposite each other facing the long side of the game board (egg carton).

• Players place 4 beans into each of the cups.

• The collection cups (mancala stores), are placed at each end of the game board, and remain empty of beans.

How to play

• Player one grabs all the beans from one hole on their side of the gameboard and drops them, one by one, into each cup around the board going to the right. (This may take you around into the other player's side of the board).

• • • If the player passes over their collection cup, they get to place a bean in there.

    • Once the player doesn't have any more beans in their hand, player 2 does the same sort of thing with a pile of beans from their side.

    • If a player puts their last bean in their collection cup, they get an extra turn!

    • If a player puts their last bean from a pile into one of their empty cups on their side, they get to reach across the game board and collect the beans from the opposite cup of their opposing player.

  • Play continues in this way until a player's side of the game board is completely empty.

  • The winner is the one with the most beans in their own collection cup!

Discuss/reflect

• What moves will increase your chances of winning?