Mancala
Mancala is a blanket term for a large family of board games which are played throughout Africa and Asia, under a wide variety of variations and names. Archaeological evidence suggests that mancala may be one of the oldest games played by humans, with clear examples of mancala boards being found in digs which date back to at least the seventh century BCE. This large family of games also has a huge international following, because they are easy to learn, but it takes a lifetime to master mancala.
The word “mancala” is derived from the Arabic naqala, “to move.” Many English speakers are unaware that mancala is a group term, rather than the name for a specific game. The game that many Americans know as “mancala” is actually usually kalah, wari, or bao. However, the basic rules of play for mancala games are essentially the same, and the equipment is similar as well.
To play a game in the mancala family, players need a board of some sort and counters. A mancala board may be as simple as holes scratched in the earth, or as ornate as a lacquered and inlaid table in the home of a monarch. Seeds, pebbles, stones, and other small objects can be used as counters; again, ornate mancala games may use valuable and distinctive counters.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mancala.htm
The word “mancala” is derived from the Arabic naqala, “to move.” Many English speakers are unaware that mancala is a group term, rather than the name for a specific game. The game that many Americans know as “mancala” is actually usually kalah, wari, or bao. However, the basic rules of play for mancala games are essentially the same, and the equipment is similar as well.
To play a game in the mancala family, players need a board of some sort and counters. A mancala board may be as simple as holes scratched in the earth, or as ornate as a lacquered and inlaid table in the home of a monarch. Seeds, pebbles, stones, and other small objects can be used as counters; again, ornate mancala games may use valuable and distinctive counters.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mancala.htm
Mahjong Connect
Mahjong is a Chinese game with an interesting history. It is traditionally played with several tiles. Like most decks of cards, these tiles have several suits and ranks. After a dealer is chosen, the tiles are shuffled, and each player chooses his tiles. The players then try to make matches with their tiles.
There are a few theories about the origins of mahjong. Some individuals believe that Confucius invented the game around 500 BC. Many other individuals dispute this claim, stating that there is no evidence of this game before the 19th century. Another theory suggests that mahjong was created by soldiers who were simply looking to pass the time during the Taiping rebellion in the 1800s. Mahjong, however, was most likely based on a similar card game called ma tiae.
After 1900, this game became increasingly popular in China. The People's Republic of China banned mahjong and all other gambling games, however, in the 1940s. It wasn't until 1985 that the ban was lifted. After this time, mahjong once again became a popular game, not only in China, but in many parts of the western world as well.
Mahjong tiles or cards may be used when playing this game, but the former is more common. These tiles are often split into suits. A mahjong set may include 136 or 144 tiles, depending on where it originated.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mahjong.htm
There are a few theories about the origins of mahjong. Some individuals believe that Confucius invented the game around 500 BC. Many other individuals dispute this claim, stating that there is no evidence of this game before the 19th century. Another theory suggests that mahjong was created by soldiers who were simply looking to pass the time during the Taiping rebellion in the 1800s. Mahjong, however, was most likely based on a similar card game called ma tiae.
After 1900, this game became increasingly popular in China. The People's Republic of China banned mahjong and all other gambling games, however, in the 1940s. It wasn't until 1985 that the ban was lifted. After this time, mahjong once again became a popular game, not only in China, but in many parts of the western world as well.
Mahjong tiles or cards may be used when playing this game, but the former is more common. These tiles are often split into suits. A mahjong set may include 136 or 144 tiles, depending on where it originated.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mahjong.htm
Sudoku
Sudoku is a number placement puzzle based on logic rather than mathematics. Sudoku gained worldwide popularity in early 2005 and began selling in the form of puzzle books, handheld electronic versions and board games, as well as appearing in thousands of daily newspapers.
The concept of Sudoku is simple. The puzzle consists of a 9x9 square grid that is divided into nine 3x3 squares, resulting in nine rows and nine columns, for a total of 81 small squares. The unsolved Sudoku puzzle supplies only a few numbers in random squares. To solve the puzzle, the remaining squares must be filled in with the numbers 1 through 9, each appearing only once in each row, column and 3x3 square.
Because Sudoku is logic-based, other puzzles could be created that use the same concept and replace the numbers with other objects, such as colors, letters or shapes. However, Sudoku is aptly named, because the word Sudoku is a Japanese abbreviation loosely meaning “single number”.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sudoku.htm
The concept of Sudoku is simple. The puzzle consists of a 9x9 square grid that is divided into nine 3x3 squares, resulting in nine rows and nine columns, for a total of 81 small squares. The unsolved Sudoku puzzle supplies only a few numbers in random squares. To solve the puzzle, the remaining squares must be filled in with the numbers 1 through 9, each appearing only once in each row, column and 3x3 square.
Because Sudoku is logic-based, other puzzles could be created that use the same concept and replace the numbers with other objects, such as colors, letters or shapes. However, Sudoku is aptly named, because the word Sudoku is a Japanese abbreviation loosely meaning “single number”.
From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sudoku.htm