Endgame Counting
📋 What it is
Near the end, count the seeds still in play and on each side to know exactly who wins and how to force it.
🗣️ Coach says
The endgame is arithmetic. Count the total seeds left in the pits and add each side's store — now you know who's ahead and by how much. When one side's pits empty out, remaining seeds may go to the other player, so counting tells you whether to rush the end or keep seeds on your side.
🧠 Memory hook
Count store + pits for each side. The math tells you who wins and how to force it.
😂 Giggle
Why did the empty pit look so hopeful?
Because in Oware, an empty pit today can be a captured pile tomorrow!
😲 Whoa!
Because there's no luck, a mancala endgame can be solved exactly by counting — the winner is often decided several moves before the last seed is played.
✅ Quick check: How do you know who is winning in the endgame?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Count each side's store plus the seeds still in play on their side — the higher total (once the board empties) wins.
The result is pure arithmetic on banked and in-play seeds.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
In an endgame, add up each side's store and remaining seeds. Predict the winner, then finish and check.