How many players can play Mancala?

2 players. If you're short of players, the host can add CPU players, so you can start a table on your own.

What age is Mancala suitable for?

We suggest Ages 5+. There's no age check, so treat it as a guide.

Does it cost anything?

Nothing at all. No account and no app to install: enter a name and you're straight in.

Can I play on a smartphone?

Yes. It runs in the browser, so the same URL opens on iPhone and Android alike.

How do I invite friends?

Open a table and press "Invite link" to get its URL. Anyone you send it to comes straight to your table.

Board games

How to play Mancala

Sow them one by one,
gather them in your store.

Sow the seeds (beans) from a pit one by one into the next pits; whoever gathers more in their store wins. One of the oldest games in the world, with short rules that children and adults alike pick up in five minutes.

Play Mancala free Play vs CPU

No sign-up, nothing to install. Enter a name and you're at the table. No opponent? Play the CPU right away.

Count: 2
Play time: 5–10 min
Ages: Ages 5+
Equipment: A board with 12 pits and 2 stores, 48 seeds

What is Mancala?

Choose a pit on your side, take all its seeds and sow them one by one starting with the next pit. Here the three seeds go one each into the next two pits and the store. The last seed landed in your store, so it is your turn again. Whoever has more seeds in their store wins.

Mancala is the family name for sowing games played for thousands of years across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Kirakuken plays the most widespread version, Kalah. Each player has six pits on their side and a large pit, the store, at one end. Choose one of your pits, take all its seeds and sow them one by one, counter-clockwise. If the last seed lands in your store, you go again. When one side's pits are all empty the game ends, and the player with more seeds in their store wins.

Playing Mancala at Kirakuken

Each seed is shown dropping into its pit (with fast-forward)
The seed count beside each pit, so no counting needed
Seeds per pit and “capture opposite” in the table's “Details”
Three CPU strengths to choose from

Rules of Mancala

These rules always apply at our tables.

Start: put four seeds in each of the twelve pits and leave both stores empty. Players take turns, the first player starting.
Sowing: choose a pit on your side, take all its seeds and drop them one by one, counter-clockwise, starting with the next pit. You sow into your own store, but skip your opponent's.
Go again: if your last seed lands in your store, you take another turn.
Capture: if your last seed lands in an empty pit on your side and the pit opposite has seeds, both go into your store.
End: the game ends when all the pits on one side are empty. Seeds left on the other side go to that player's store. The player with more seeds in their store wins.

Optional rules

You choose these when opening a table.

Seeds per pit: four by default. In “Details” when opening a table you can choose three to six. More seeds make a longer game and deeper reading.
No capture: without the capture rule there are fewer reversals, and small children find it easier to follow.

FAQ

How many players can play Mancala?: 2 players. If you're short of players, the host can add CPU players, so you can start a table on your own.
What age is Mancala suitable for?: We suggest Ages 5+. There's no age check, so treat it as a guide.
Does it cost anything?: Nothing at all. No account and no app to install: enter a name and you're straight in.
How long does a game take?: About 5–10 min.
Can I play on a smartphone?: Yes. It runs in the browser, so the same URL opens on iPhone and Android alike.
How do I invite friends?: Open a table and press "Invite link" to get its URL. Anyone you send it to comes straight to your table.

Done reading? Take a seat.

Open a Mancala table Play vs CPU

Last updated: 2026-11-03