Congklak
Congklak, a traditional board game loved in Bandung and across Indonesia, is a mix of strategy and fun. Played on a beautifully carved wooden board, it involves scooping and dropping small stones into holes to collect as many as possible in your store. In Bandung, congklak is more than a game—it’s a cultural pastime that brings families and friends together, blending skill and tradition in a playful yet meaningful way.
How to Play Congklak (Step-by-Step)
Set Up the Board:
- Congklak has 14 small holes arranged in two rows, with one large storage hole (store) at each end.
- Place 7 small stones, seeds, or shells in each of the 14 small holes. Leave the stores empty for now.
Decide Who Goes First:
- Players can flip a coin or agree on who starts.
Start Playing:
- The first player chooses one of the 7 small holes on their side of the board. Scoop up all the stones from that hole.
- Move counterclockwise around the board, dropping one stone in each hole (including your own store but skipping your opponent’s store).
Keep Dropping Stones:
- If the last stone lands in a hole with stones, scoop up all the stones in that hole and continue dropping them one by one.
- If the last stone lands in your own store, you get another turn.
Capture Stones:
- If the last stone lands in an empty hole on your side, you capture it and the stones in the hole directly opposite it on your opponent’s side. Move these stones to your store.
Ending a Turn:
- Your turn ends if the last stone lands in an empty hole on your opponent’s side or if you can’t continue dropping stones.
End of the Game:
- The game ends when all 14 small holes are empty. Players then count the stones in their stores.
Winning:
- The player with the most stones in their store is the winner!