How to Hoard in Mancala

Mancala is a game that involves a board with six small bins on either side and one large bin on either end. You can purchase a Mancala game from a toy store or you can draw a game board on a piece of paper and find something for the playing pieces. Some people use a technique called hoarding to win the game, so keep reading to learn how to do that.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mancala game

1. Begin to gather stones in one bin on your side of the game board and don't play them. Only play the stones in the other bins and remember to take your opponents' stones at the same time.

2. Remember that generally, the object of the game is not to go out first. To go out first means not to have any more stones on your side of the board. If either player goes out first, the game is over and both players will add up the number of stones they have in all of their bins. The player with the most stones wins the game. Therefore, even if your opponent goes out first and you have many stones in your small bins, you still get to keep them and count them toward your total.

3. Watch your opponents' side of the board and make sure they don't have the opportunity to steal the stones that you're hoarding. You don't want the bin opposite the bin you're using to hoard stones to be empty. If your opponent manages to take those stones, there's a good chance they'll win.