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Since there are many sets of rules for Mancala, I have decided to implement two alternatives.
( see also: A brief history of Mancala )
You can change the rules and even invent your own ones by using the " Preferences... " dialog
in the " Options " menu.
The simple rules are usually played with 5 small fields on each players side and 3 stones in each field.
However you may change this in the " Preferences... " dialog if you wish.
As the name says: the simple rules are very simple:
- Each player may start from his fields and not from the mancalas.
- The player whose turn it is takes all of the stones from any field on their side of the board. Moving counter-clockwise, the player drops one stone into each field that they come to. This action is also known as "sowing" the stones.
- If the player comes to a mancala they drop a stone into it.
- If the player's last stone lands in a mancala, they get another turn. Otherwise it is the opponent's turn.
- If the last stone that a player drops goes into an empty field, they capture any of the opponent's playing stones in the field directly across from theirs. When stones are captured, they go into the mancala of the player who captured them.
- The game ends when all small fields on one side of the board are empty, so that this player can not sow anymore.
- The total of the stones in a players small fields and his mancala gives the players score.
- The player with the highest score wins.
The advanced rules are usually played with 6 small fields on each players side and 4 stones in each field.
As already pointed out in the simple rules section above you can change this in the " Preferences... " dialog if you want.
The main difference between the simple rules and the advanced rules is, that - when using the advanced rules - the opponent's side is " taboo ".
That is to say, when the last stone lands in an empty field on the other players side you cannot put the stones of the opposite field into your mancala,
and one cannot put a stone into the opponent's mancala when traversing his side. Furthermore only the stones in players mancala give his score,
not the number of all the stones on his side.
- Each player may start from his fields and not from the mancalas.
- The player whose turn it is takes all of the stones from any field on their side of the board. Moving counter-clockwise, the player drops one stone into each field that they come to.
- If the player comes to his own mancala they drop a stone into it.
- If the player comes to the opponent's mancala they just leave it out.
- If the player's last stone lands in a mancala, they get another turn. Otherwise it is the opponent's turn.
- The game ends when all small fields on one side of the board are empty, so that this player can not sow anymore.
- The number of stones in a player's mancala gives the player's score.
- The player with the heighest score wins.
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