How to Play Congkak

Congkak is a two-player count-and-capture game. The objective is to collect more seeds in your storehouse than your opponent by the end of the game.

The Board

A Congkak board consists of two rows of seven small holes (called "houses") and two large holes at each end (called "storehouses" or "home"). Each player controls the row of houses closest to them, and the storehouse on their right.

• Player 1 - Bottom row, right storehouse
• Player 2 - Top row, left storehouse

Setup

At the start of the game, each of the 14 small houses contains 7 seeds. Both storehouses begin empty. Player 1 takes the first turn.

Taking a Turn

On your turn, pick up all the seeds from any house on your side that contains seeds. Then, moving counter-clockwise (to the right), drop one seed into each hole you pass, including your own storehouse but skipping your opponent's storehouse.

Step by step:

1. Choose a house on your side with at least one seed
2. Pick up all seeds from that house
3. Moving counter-clockwise, drop one seed per hole
4. Skip your opponent's storehouse when passing it
5. Continue until you run out of seeds

Special Rules

Extra Turn

If your last seed lands in your own storehouse, you get another turn immediately. This can chain multiple times in a single sequence of moves.

Capture

If your last seed lands in an empty house on your side, and the opposite house (on your opponent's side) contains seeds, you capture all the seeds from the opposite house plus your landing seed. All captured seeds go into your storehouse.

End of the Game

The game ends when one player has no seeds left in any of their houses. When this happens:

• Any remaining seeds on the other player's side go into that player's storehouse
• Both players count the seeds in their storehouses
• The player with more seeds wins

Tips for Beginners

• Count ahead to see where your last seed will land
• Try to land in your storehouse for extra turns
• Watch for capture opportunities when houses are empty
• Don't leave houses with many seeds opposite your empty houses

Ready to put these rules into practice? Play Congkak now, or read our strategy guide to improve your game.