Protecting your seeds in Mancala
A big pit with an empty pit opposite is a target. Learn to see your opponent’s capture threats and move your seeds to safety. Planning ahead · lesson 2 of 2.
The lesson in words
Your pit 4 has 8 seeds. The pit opposite is empty, and your opponent has a single seed right next to it.
On their turn they can sow that seed into the empty pit and capture your 8.
You have small captures on offer, but grabbing 3 seeds and losing 9 is a bad deal.
Try it: Make the move that removes the threat.
After every move, look at your opponent’s side: can they land in an empty pit across from your seeds? That completes the Mancala path: time for the ladder.