Japanese Mancala
Japanese Mancala is a board game for 2 to 4 players, about 10 minutes. Empty your own side first and you win. Free. In-browser. No account.
Play over time
Japanese Mancala in 30 seconds
- SetupEach player has six pockets with four stones in each, and a store at their right-hand end.
- PlayPick one of your pockets, lift every stone, and drop them one at a time into the pockets going anticlockwise. Stores count.
- Extra turnIf your last stone lands in any store, you sow again.
- WinningThe first player whose own side is completely empty wins.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2–4 players |
| Play time | About 10 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-14 |
How to play Japanese Mancala online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2–4 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Two to four players. Each player owns six pockets (seven or four by setting) and one store at the end of their side.
- Put four stones in every pocket (three by setting). The stores start empty.
- Turns pass anticlockwise. Your own side is always drawn along the bottom of the screen.
How to play
- Choose one of your pockets and pick up every stone in it. Empty pockets cannot be chosen.
- Sow the stones one at a time into the following pockets, moving anticlockwise.
- You sow through your own store and through everyone else's. A stone that lands in any store is out of play for good.
- With enough stones you go right round the board. The pocket you emptied is not skipped.
- If your last stone lands in any store, you take another turn. Stones are never captured.
- Because every store you pass takes a stone out of play, long sowings that run through several stores empty your side fastest, while a small pocket near your own store can set up an extra turn.
Winning
- If your own side is empty the moment you finish sowing, you win.
- With 3 or 4 players, the winner's pockets and store are lifted off the board and the rest play on. Finishing order is the ranking, and whoever is left last comes last.
- Turn that setting off and the game stops at the first player to empty their side; the rest are ranked by how few stones they have left.
- You may also give up, which puts you last.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets each | How many pockets each player owns. With 2 players choose six or seven; with 3 or 4 players choose six or four. A number that does not fit the table falls back to six. | Six | Can be changed |
| Stones per pocket | How many stones start in each pocket. Fewer stones means a shorter game. | Four | Can be changed |
| Play out for full ranking | Only applies with 3 or 4 players. On, the winner is lifted off the board and the rest play on until everyone is placed. Off, the game stops at the first player to empty their side. With 2 players it makes no difference. | On | Can be changed |
| Swap who starts | Swap the starting player after each game. | On | Can be changed |
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FAQ
How many people can play?
Two to four. With three players the left-hand side of the board is left open.
Can I practise alone?
Yes. Choose Practise alone to play the computer. A computer seat works at any table size.
Can I play if I have never tried it?
Yes. The tutorial takes you from sowing to winning in about 4 minutes.
Is this the same game as Mancala (Kalah)?
Same equipment, different goal. Here you win by emptying your own side; in Kalah — the version most English speakers call Mancala — you win by collecting the most stones. It is listed as its own game.
Is there a clock?
No. Take as long as you like. After three minutes of no moves the page gives you a nudge.
Can I play at school or work (unblocked)?
Yes. Japanese Mancala runs entirely in your browser, with nothing to download or install, so it works on most school and work networks that block app stores or game downloads. If your network blocks the whole site, ask an administrator to allow boardgamejoin.com.
Is there a 2 player mode?
Yes — Japanese Mancala works with 2 players, and up to 4 once more people join.
Can I play against the computer?
Yes. Press “Play vs CPU” on the Japanese Mancala page to start right away against a computer opponent — no waiting for other players.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can I play online with friends far away?
Yes. Start a party and send its invite link. Friends can join in their browsers without signing up.
Is there an app?
This is a free app that runs in your browser. No installation is needed.
Can we play without being online at the same time?
Yes. Choose “Turn-based (told each turn)” and you can make one move whenever you like. We tell you when it is your turn. A Party ends automatically, with no winner or loser, after 45 days without a move.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Board)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-14 · Run by Qdan, Inc.