There are many variants of the game, from the number of stones in each pot at the start of the game through to how each of the stones is actually won.

Bantumi, the Nokia variant of Mancala has Beans instead of stones and there are four in each pot at the start of the game.

The objective of the game is to move your beans from the pots at the bottom of the screen into your score pot on the right hand side.

• The game always moves counterclockwise. Start by selecting a pot of beans from the bottom row.
• After you have made your selection, each pot increases by 1 counterclockwise, until all the beans you picked up have been used.
• You cannot drop any beans into your opponents score pot.
• If your bean lands in your score pot, your score increases by 1.
• If your last bean lands in your score pot, you have another turn.
• If your last bean lands in an empty pot in the bottom half, it is added to your total, and any beans in the opposite pot are added as well.
• If either player is left with no beans in their row, the game is over. If the other player still has beans they are added automatically to their score pot.
• The winner is the player with the highest number of beans in their score pot.