Mancala question?

Question

i'm using the program big bang board games and i'm new to mancala but i seem to know the rules pretty well now. i think it's supposed to be played with 4 stones in each hole and instead its played with 3. i find it kinda ruins the game because who ever goes first just can use the whole 3 from the cala and then get to go again use the 6th from the cala and get to steal the opposite sides pieces and get an automatic 5 point lead , i it just me or is the program made wrong by having 36 pieces instead of 48?

Answer 1

yes it is wrong you have to use all 48

Answer 2

There is more than one version of Mancala, and one is played with 36 stones.  Like you, I much prefer the version with 48 stones.  Everyone I have played it with plays with 48 stones.  These links will show you that the rules sometimes  say "36 stones" and sometimes say "48 stones".