Sungka
A Filipino board game where players drop shells into wooden pits to collect the most stones by the end.
Players
• 2 players sit facing each other.
• Sungka is a calm yet strategic game — perfect for all ages.
Sungkaan (Board)
• A wooden board with two rows of seven small holes (called bahay) and two larger end holes (called ulo or head).
• If you don’t have one, you can draw circles on the ground or use egg cartons!
Shells or Seeds
• 49 small shells, pebbles, or beads — seven pieces per small hole.
• Traditionally, cowrie shells or sigay (see-GAHY) were used.
Flat Surface
• Place the sungka board on a flat table or floor where both players can easily reach.
Arrange the Pieces
• Place 7 shells or stones in each of the 14 small holes (7 per side).
• Leave the two big end holes (ulo) empty — these are the stores where captured shells will be kept.
Player Sides
• Each player controls the 7 small holes on their side of the board.
• The big hole to your right is your ulo (head) or home pit, where you collect your winnings.
Decide Who Starts
• Choose who goes first by tossing a coin, rock–paper–scissors, or simply taking turns each round.
1. Pick Up Shells
• The first player selects one small hole on their side and picks up all the shells from it.
2. Distribute (Bilang)
• Moving counterclockwise, drop one shell into each hole — including your own ulo (big hole) — but skip your opponent’s ulo.
3. Continue the Turn
• If your last shell lands in your own ulo, you get another turn.
• If your last shell lands in an empty hole on your side, you can capture the shells in your opponent’s opposite hole and put them into your ulo.
4. Switch Turns
• After a turn, it’s your opponent’s chance to play using the same process.
5. Ending the Game
• The game ends when all seven holes on one player’s side are empty.
• The other player places any remaining shells from their side into their ulo.
• The player with the most shells in their ulo (head pit) wins!
- Choose holes with many shells early to maximize your turn.
- Pay attention to your opponent’s side — anticipate where they’ll land.
- Aim to land your last shell in your ulo to earn extra turns.
- Practice mental counting (bilang) to plan ahead!
The word Sungka (soong-KAH) comes from the Tagalog root “sungka,” meaning “to count or distribute shells.”
Key Tagalog words used in the game:
Bahay (bah-HAHY) → “house” or “small pit” where shells are placed.
Ulo (OO-loh) → “head” or “home pit,” where captured shells are stored.
Bilang (bee-LAHNG) → “to count.”
Kuha (KOO-hah) → “to take.”