Mancala is a free online board game you can play instantly in your browser against a computer opponent named Otto, no download, no account, and no waiting for another player. Play classic Kalah rules on a board of two rows of six pits plus a store at each end: pick any pit on your side and sow its stones one by one, counter-clockwise, into every pit that follows, skipping Otto's store. Land your last stone in your own store and you get an extra turn; land it in an empty pit on your own side and you capture every stone in the pit directly opposite, sweeping the haul into your store. The game ends the moment either side's six pits are empty, and every stone left on the board falls to whoever still has stones on their side. Play through 15 levels that sharpen Otto's sowing with every board, from a rival that leaves easy captures open early on up to one that reads several moves ahead and chains extra turns of its own. Win by ending with more stones in your store than Otto; Try Again deals a fresh board at the same difficulty any time he outsows you.
How to play Mancala
- On your turn, pick any pit on your side of the board (the bottom row) that has at least one stone in it.
- Sow its stones one at a time into each following pit, moving counter-clockwise around the board and skipping over Otto's store.
- If your last stone lands in your own store, you take another turn immediately.
- If your last stone lands in an empty pit on your own side, you capture that stone plus every stone in the pit directly opposite it, and they all go into your store.
- The round ends the instant either side's six pits are all empty; every stone still sitting on the other side then falls into that side's store.
- Win by finishing with more stones in your store than Otto's. A level is a single game; clear it to unlock the next level's sharper opponent.
Tips
- Sowing from a pit close to your store often ends the turn right in the store, earning you a free extra move — count ahead before you play.
- Watch your own empty pits: dropping your last stone into one is only a capture if the opposite pit still has stones in it, so keep an eye on what Otto is stacking across from you.
- Emptying your side too early can end the game before you've banked your lead — sometimes holding a few stones back in play is worth more than rushing to sow them.
- Otto plays sharper captures and extra-turn chains at higher levels, so protect pits that sit opposite your fuller stacks once the board gets tight.
FAQ
Is Mancala free to play?
Yes. Mancala is completely free to play online with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
Does Mancala work on mobile?
Yes — tap a pit on your side to sow it, so it plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop.
Can I play Mancala with a friend online?
This version is single-player against a computer opponent named Otto, so there's no lobby or waiting for another player — you can start a game any time.
What rules does this Mancala use?
This is the classic Kalah ruleset: six pits per side, sowing counter-clockwise, an extra turn for landing in your own store, and captures for landing in an empty pit on your own side.
How many levels does Mancala have?
There are 15 levels. Otto's AI searches deeper and captures more precisely with every level, from easy openings early on up to calculated, multi-move-ahead play by the final boards.