Mancala
Aim of the game
Mancala is a game especially widespread in Africa, Asia and the Carribean. Mostly beans are used as pieces so that the game is also known as "bean game".
The aim of the game is to get as many pieces as possible (but at least 37) into one's own bowl.
Setting up the game
The playing field is a longish board with two rows of six bowls. On the left and on the right there is a stock bowl, the so-called Kalah. At the beginning of the game it is still empty. In each bowl 3 - 8 pieces may be placed. Seen from the player's perspective one's own Kalah is located on the right side.
Starting and playing
Moving is done by turns and by regarding these rules:
The first player takes all six pieces of one of the bowls from his side and drops one stone in every following bowl. He does that counter clockwise and will possibly drop pieces in his adversary's bowls. The adversary's Kalah is skipped. The adversary now does the same and disperses all pieces of one of his bowls. One may play again, in case the last piece of the move drops into one's own Kalah.
Acquiring pieces
In case one of the players drops his last piece in his own row into an empty bowl, he may take these pieces and his adversary's from the bowl opposite and drop them into his Kalah. On the adversary's side at least one piece must remain to enable him to go on with the game.
Finishing the game
In case no piece is left on the adversary's side, the other player may take all his pieces in his Kalah. With that the game ist finished. The pieces are counted and the player who has the most (but at least 37) is the winner.