The board and the start
The board has 64 squares. Each player has discs that are one colour on each side, black on one face and white on the other. The game starts with four discs in the centre: two black and two white, placed diagonally. Black always moves first.
Making a move
On your turn you place one disc on an empty square. The square must trap at least one disc of your opponent: a straight line of their discs with your new disc at one end and another of your discs at the other end. The line can run sideways, up and down, or diagonally.
- Every disc trapped between your new disc and your other disc flips to your colour.
- One move can flip lines in several directions at once.
- Only discs trapped by the move you just made flip. Flips never chain onwards.
- If a square would not flip anything, you cannot play there.
Passing and the end of the game
If you have no legal move, you pass and your opponent plays again. If neither player can move, the game is over. This usually happens when the board is full, but it can happen earlier. The player with more discs of their colour on the board wins, and equal numbers are a draw.
Why corners matter
A disc in a corner can never be flipped, because there is no square beyond it to trap it against. Discs along an edge that connect to a corner are also very hard to flip. This is the most important idea in Reversi: the four corners are worth far more than any single disc in the middle.
The squares next to a corner are dangerous. If you take one, you often let your opponent take the corner. Try not to be the first player to move next to an empty corner.
Tips for winning
- Do not rush to flip a lot of discs early. Having fewer discs in the middle game is often better, because it gives you more moves and your opponent fewer.
- Count your moves, not just your discs. The player with more choices (mobility) usually controls the game.
- Take a corner whenever you can, and avoid the squares next to empty corners.
- Try to play moves that flip just a few discs, especially ones in the middle, and keep your own discs together in a compact shape.
- Near the end, count the squares left and plan your last moves. Making your opponent run out of moves and pass can win the game.
Playing Reversi on boardflix
Choose Easy, Medium or Hard against the computer, and pick whether you play Black (first) or White. You can also pass and play on one screen, or press Create Room to play a friend online. The squares you can play are shown with glowing dots, discs flip with a ripple and a sound, and the last move is marked with a small gold dot. If you want a real challenge, switch the move hints off.
Frequently asked questions
Who moves first in Reversi?
Black always moves first. On boardflix you can choose to play Black or White against the computer.
What if I have no legal move?
You pass, and your opponent plays again. If neither player can move, the game ends.
Can a disc be flipped more than once?
Yes. A disc can change colour many times during a game, except discs in a corner, which can never be flipped.
Do the discs that flip cause more flips?
No. Only the discs trapped by the disc you just placed flip. Flipped discs do not flip others.
How is the winner decided?
When neither player can move, whoever has more discs of their colour on the board wins. Equal numbers are a draw.
Is Reversi the same as Othello?
They are very closely related. Othello is a trademarked version with a fixed starting position, and Reversi is the older, general name for the game. The play is the same.
