The simple fact that this player was indeed able to calculate six rounds of counters traveling the board indicates that some level of expertise is present in the game of Hawalis in Oman. The planned position and the calculation that was required provided Dad Mohd the opportunity to show his ability with success. This so-called duru calculation, which is also found in the game ofBao, can be tested (de. The present champion by the name of Dad Mohd, claimed to calculate at least 6 rounds. It is said that players were also present in Seeb and that there were many more playing clubs in former times.Īt the Corniche there appeared serious competition.
The second group plays near the harbor at the Corniche in Mutrah. Card playing is equally popular in that area. The first group plays at the taxi stand near the Ruwi bus station in order to pass the time while waiting for clients. Players ofHawalis are found in two places in Muscat, the capital of Oman. A beginning player is almost always defeated in the end-game which appears difficult to predict.
While the immediate stratagem is to capture as many counters as possible by calculating the spreading of the counters, the strategy becomes more complicated when moves become limited. At the same time, when a player has many singletons but only one hole containing more than one counter, this player is forced to play this one particular hole.
Since single counters are not allowed to enter occupied holes, the moves of a player are rather limited. Koswee) the front row captures are possible as described above.Īlthough the rules are not complicated compared to other four-row mancala games, the rules concerning singletons lead to important strategic possibilities. When it enters an empty hole in Hawalis players using a concrete board in Ruwa, Muscat (photo K. they may not enter a hole already containing one counter. In that case, the single counters are not allowed to double up, i.e. Only when all the holes of the player contain less than two counters is the player allowed to play singletons. One is not allowed to play singletons, i.e. If a player plays an endless move, this player has lost as well. The player who has lost all the pieces has also lost the game. If the front hole is empty, no capture is made, but if the hole in the back row of the opponent is empty, it is still possible to capture the counters in the front hole. one hole in the front row and one hole in the back row of the opponent, contain at least one counter each, the contents of both holes are captured and taken from the board. If the holes directly opposite this last counter, i.e. When the last counter enters an empty hole the move ends, unless it enters an empty hole on the front row in which case it is possible to capture. When the last counter enters an occupied hole, the contents of this hole is picked up and spread in the same way and direction.
The players play in the two rows at their side. With each turn the contents of a hole with more than one stone is pick up and spread one-by-one in counter-clockwise direction. Each hole contains two counters, commonly white stones or pebbles. The mancala game played in Oman consists of four rows of seven holes.