GEMJI Mancala

Elements

Set-up

Build 6 towers made out of 4 tiles for each player. Place the towers parallel to each other so that they form two long lines. Use random tiles to create the towers.

Then, take another 6 random tiles and place them in line as well (see image above). This line is the “marker” which helps distinguish the 6 tower slots later on and is used only as a signifier (you do not place tiles on it). Player 1 uses the black side of the tiles, and player 2 uses the white side.

Start of Game

Either player can start first. Choosing only from the 6 towers in front of them, the first player picks a tower and collects all the pieces from it. They distribute the pieces counterclockwise, placing one on top of each tile tower.

When the player’s last tile is placed on a tower of only 1 or 2 tiles, they collect all tiles from it and earns them as points. The same player also collects the tiles from the previous tower if it was formed by 1, 2, or 3 tiles in total.
If there are no more tile towers in front of one of the players, their opponent has to make a move which will distribute at least one tile on their side. If such a move is impossible, then the player without any tiles automatically loses the game.

Winner

The player to collect 24 tiles first wins the game.

Tips

This game is all about logic and calculating which tower is the best to start with every turn, in order to distribute the containing tiles in a way that allows you to earn the maximum points.