Bao

The strategist's mancala from the Swahili coast — relay-sowing that can chain captures clear around the board.

How to play

You own the two bottom rows of holes; the opponent owns the two top rows. On your turn you lift the seeds from one of your holes and sow them one per hole; if the last seed lands in a non-empty hole you keep relaying, so a single move can travel for laps and trigger captures. Reduce your opponent until they can no longer make a legal move.

• Pick a hole with enough seeds, then choose your sowing direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) using the two arrows.
• Landing rules let you capture the enemy seeds across from a loaded hole and drop them back into play.
• The deep relay mechanic means reading several laps ahead is the whole game.

Controls

• Desktop: click one of your holes (with two or more seeds), pick a direction arrow, and the sow plays out.
• Phone & tablet: tap a hole and tap a direction — the board is fully touch-friendly.

Tips & strategy

• Before sowing, trace where the final seed lands — a relay that ends in your own loaded hole keeps your turn rolling.
• Set up captures by loading holes opposite the enemy's stockpiles.
• Hoard a reserve hole so you always have a safe move when the board tightens.

Origins

Bao is the deep, demanding mancala game of the Swahili coast of East Africa — Tanzania, Kenya and especially Zanzibar, where 'bao' simply means 'board'. Reckoned among the most complex of all sowing games, it is a game of masters, with its own champions and traditions woven into Swahili coastal life.

About Bao

Bao is the most strategically rich member of the traditional mancala seed-sowing family, long played across East Africa. This is an original, free browser version with three computer difficulty levels and pass-and-play.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium — no download, no install. Browse all games →