Reversi
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How to play
Bracket your rival’s discs in every direction and finish with the most discs.
- Place only where one or more rival discs are bracketed.
- Every bracketed line flips to your colour.
- Pass only when no legal move remains; the higher total wins.
How to Play Reversi
Reversi is a two-player strategy game on an 8 by 8 board, also widely known through the trademarked version Othello. Every move must trap at least one opposing disc between the new disc and one already on the board, flipping the trapped line to your colour.
You play black against a computer opponent with three difficulty levels. The board position and your statistics stay on your device between visits.
Setup and Legal Moves
The game starts with four discs in the centre of the board in the standard diagonal pattern, and black moves first. A legal move places a disc on an empty square so that one or more straight lines of opposing discs are bracketed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally between the new disc and one of your existing discs.
Every bracketed line flips at once in all directions created by the move. The game highlights legal squares so you can see the available choices.
Passing and Completing the Game
If you have a legal move, you must play one. If no legal move exists, your turn is skipped and your opponent moves again. The game ends when neither player can move, usually when the board is full. The player with more discs wins, and equal totals create a draw.
Why Corners Matter
A disc in a corner can never be flipped, and it anchors every edge line it touches. Take corners when possible, and be careful with the three squares next to an open corner because playing there can give the corner to your opponent.
Counting Less, Moving More
A large disc count in the middle of the game can reduce your later choices. Flipping many discs early gives your opponent more targets and can leave you with fewer replies. Strong play focuses on mobility: keep your options open while limiting the opponent’s legal moves. The disc count matters most on the final board.
Stable discs cannot be flipped again. They usually spread outward from occupied corners along the edges, so building stable lines can shape the final turns.
About This Version
Easy mode is suited to learning the flipping rules, Medium uses a balanced positional style, and Hard responds firmly to loose corner play. You can change the board colours in table settings and restart at any time with the New game link.
Reversi Questions
Is Reversi the same as Othello?
Othello is a trademarked modern version of Reversi with a fixed diagonal starting position, the same one used here. The placement and flipping rules are the same for practical play.
Why was my turn skipped?
No legal move was available, so the rules skipped your turn automatically. Your next turn begins when a legal move is available.
Can I place a disc anywhere?
No. Every move must flip at least one opposing disc by trapping a straight line between the new disc and an existing one. Legal squares are highlighted.
Why are corners so important?
A corner disc cannot be flipped, and discs connected to a corner along an edge can become permanently stable. Corners shape many strong positions.
Who wins if the board is not full?
If neither player can move, the game ends immediately and the higher disc count wins.