Dare to Play the Game of Mancala

With a long heritage dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, it wouldn’t be wrong to regard Mancala as one of the world’s oldest and most enduring board games. For centuries, the game of Mancala has captured the hearts of players all around the globe with its strategic playing style.

The strategy game of Mancala has always had its roots debated because there are traces of it around Africa and the Middle East. The game also boasts a rich history that dates back thousands of years. In this casino news, we’ll delve into the rich and exciting history of Mancala, its general gameplay, and how to play.

The Old Game of Mancala

Mancala is a game that means “sow and capture,” and the name originates from the Arabic word “Naqala,” which means “to move.” The exact birthplace of Mancala is still a broad debate among historians. Still, its origins lead to ancient Africa, ancient Sumeria (i.e. modern-day Iraq), and Egypt.

Although the birthplace of Mancala is unknown, historians believe it originated from the region covering Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan. Each African culture has different names for the game of Mancale, such as “Oware” in Ghana, “Bao” in East Africa, “Ayo” in Nigeria, and “Congkak” in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Several Mancala board games unearthed at archaeological sites, carvings, and written records prove that Mancala dates back to 600 AD. Aside from its entertainment purpose, it has a cultural and spiritual importance in many African cultures. It is included for educational purposes, too, as it teaches life lessons and improves cognitive skills; it could be considered one of the top casino games in such places, which now can be played anywhere!

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Playing the Game of Mancala

Mancala is a two-player board game that involves strategy and calculation. So, what do you need to set up a game of Mancala? You require a wooden board with two rows of six or more small cups, known as “pits,” and two larger cups, called “stores”, at the ends of the board alongside the stones for playing.

To set up a game of Mancala, we need to place the Mancala board between the two players, with each player controlling the row of six cups facing them and the store on the right side. Distribute an equal number of small stones or seeds (mainly four per pit) into each of the 12 small cups. At this point, I bet you’re anxious to learn how to play Mancala. Below are the rules for playing Mancala

• The game of Mancala starts by selecting the starting player. The starting player begins the game by picking the stones in one of the pits and distributing its contents in an anti-clockwise direction—one stone for each pit, including their stores, except for the opponent’s store.
• They get another turn if the last stone falls into the player’s store.
• If the last stone falls in an empty cup on the player’s side, and the opponent’s cup contains stones, the player wins both their stones and the stones in the opponent’s cup. 
• Each player keeps playing till one of the player’s sides is empty. The player captures any remaining stone on the opponent’s side and is placed in their store.
• Whoever captures more stones in their store is the winner.

Where to Play Mancala

Just like how versatile arcade table games can be, the game of Mancala is also versatile and can be played in several settings. It can be played both in person and, most importantly, online. Some places you can play Mancala are at home, board game cafes, online platforms, mobile apps, social media and messaging apps, etc. Of course, we would always invite you to enjoy it at the best online casino! Slots Paradise Casino is one of the best places to try out Mancala because they offer a wide range of games like Plinko, Checkers, Monopoly, etc. We also provide a realistic board game online experience. 

Mancala Strategy Tips

The game of Mancala is an easy-to-learn game but, like most casino games, it requires a strategy to understand how and what stones to move. It requires strategic thinking. Therefore, you can’t afford to act irrationally. There are quite a lot of strategies to make, but here are a few you can use while playing:

• Your first move in Mancala is essential; choosing a cup that allows you to get an extra turn is generally advised. The second cup from your right is a strong opening move because it opens up chances for free moves.
• Always look for chances to capture your opponent’s stones.
• Don’t leave empty pits on your side, as they can become potential targets for your opponent to capture your stones.
• Focus on keeping your stones in your store and simultaneously prevent your opponent from securing their stones by capturing them.

Conclusion

Remember that Mancala is not a game of luck like the 777 Slot Game but combines skill and luck. To become a good player at Mancala, you must learn adaptive strategies because of the changing nature of the game. Learn different tactics and practice often to improve your skills to become a good Mancala player by using our casino guides.

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