Wari

This is a simple version of an ancient game played all over the world. It is also called Mancala.

This is a game for two players.
You will need a game board like the one below. You could easily draw one or you can use an egg carton.
You will also need 48 counters (or beads, pebbles or buttons).

• Each player takes a side of six holes on the board.
• Put 4 counters in each hole.
• Player 1 picks up the whole pile of counters from one of his/her own holes and puts them one by one into the next several holes, in a clockwise direction around the board. (This may take you around into the other player's side of the board).
• Player 2 does the same sort of thing with a pile from his/her side.
• If a player puts the last counter from a pile into one of the other player's holes, and brings the total there to either 2 or 3, he/she wins those counters and takes them from the board.
  
• Play continues in this way until one side of the board is completely empty.
• The winner is the player who has won the most counters.

What tactics will increase your chances of winning?