Play Mancala with a friend

ReadyYou
RedMoves first
BlueMoves second
RedMoves first
RedMoves first
Black
XMoves first
OMoves second
YellowMoves second
BlackMoves second
White
BlackMoves first
WhiteMoves second
WhiteOpening roll decides
BlackOpening roll decides
BlackMoves first2
WhiteMoves second2
RedMoves first
BlueMoves second
SouthMoves first
NorthMoves second

Enemy waters

Your fleet

A little nudge

Mancala (Kalah)

Mancala is a family of stone-sowing games. This version is Kalah: six pits per side, four stones in each pit, and one store per player. Play online with a friend, take turns on one device, or choose the computer at Beginner or Advanced level. Free, with no sign-up.

How do you play?

South moves first. Pick up all stones from one of your six pits and sow them one by one counter-clockwise, skipping your opponent’s store. If the last stone lands in your own store, take another turn.

How do captures and scoring work?

If your last stone lands in an empty pit on your side opposite a non-empty pit, capture that stone and the stones opposite into your store. The game ends when either side’s six pits are empty. The other side’s remaining stones are swept into its store. The player with more stones wins; equal stores are a draw.

Can I undo or play another round?

Online Undo asks your friend to approve taking back your most recent sow and every opposing sow played after it. On one device it reverses one sow; against the computer it reverses your latest decision and all computer replies. Finished games cannot be undone. Choose “Play again” after a result; online, both players must accept.

How to play

  1. Share an invite link, play together on this device, or choose the computer at Beginner or Advanced level.
  2. South moves first. Choose one of your six non-empty pits. Pick up every stone in it and sow them counter-clockwise, one per pit, including your store and skipping your opponent’s store.
  3. If the last stone lands in your own store, take another turn. If it lands in an empty pit on your side and the opposite pit has stones, capture both that last stone and the opposite stones into your store.
  4. The game ends as soon as either side’s six pits are empty. Sweep the remaining stones from the other side into that player’s store. More stones wins; equal stores are a draw.
  5. On a phone, tap once to preview a pit, then tap it again to sow. Use the keyboard to move between pits and press Enter or Space.
  6. Undo and Resign sit below the board. Online Undo needs your friend’s approval and takes back your latest sow and every opposing sow after it. On one device it reverses one sow; against the computer it reverses your latest decision and every computer reply. Resign gives your opponent the round.
  7. Choose “Play again” after a game to continue in the same room. Online, both players must accept. The score carries over.
  8. Progress is saved in this browser. Return here to try to resume after a refresh or disconnect; online recovery needs both players to reconnect. Changing devices or clearing browser data can prevent recovery.

Returning to a game

Progress is saved in this browser. For an online game, use the room link in the same browser; both players need to reconnect. Changing browsers, clearing browser data or an expired room can prevent a return. There is no cloud backup of your game.