Bao (Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya)

Bao is a four-row East African game with substantially more rules than Tsoro. It uses reserves, a 'house' pit, compulsory captures, two phases, and captured counters re-enter play.

Setup

Four rows of eight; documented Zanzibar opening uses a house pit and a player reserve.

Capture

Compulsory. Captured counters are immediately re-sown into the capturer's front row, possibly causing further captures.

Win

Clearing the opponent's inner row; or depriving the opponent of a legal move.

Note

Bao should be learned as Bao, not as a Tsoro variant.

Rulesets

Bao

Coming Soon

Advanced 4×8 game with reserves, a house pit, compulsory captures and a two-phase structure.