How to Play Reversi (Othello)
Reversi, also sold as Othello, is a game of flipping discs on an eight by eight board. Every disc is black on one side and white on the other, and a single move can turn a whole row over.
A minute to learn, and famously difficult to play well, because the position swings wildly until the very end.
Play ReversiHow to play
- Each move places one disc of your colour so that it traps a line of enemy discs between the new disc and another of yours.
- Every enemy disc in that trapped line flips to your colour, in every direction the move works.
- A move is only legal if it flips at least one disc.
- If you have no legal move your turn is skipped.
- The game ends when the board is full or nobody can move, and whoever has more discs wins.
Why corners matter so much
A disc in a corner can never be flipped, because there is no square on the far side to trap it. Corners anchor whole edges and are worth more than any number of discs in the middle.
That makes the squares next to a corner dangerous, since playing there usually hands the corner to your opponent.
Strategy
Having fewer discs in the early game is good, not bad. Flipping everything in sight leaves you with no safe moves later, and the player forced to give up a corner usually loses.
Think in terms of mobility. Aim to keep plenty of legal moves available while reducing your opponent's options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reversi the same as Othello?
Effectively yes. Othello is a standardised version of Reversi with a fixed starting position, and the rules you play here are the Othello ones.
Why am I losing when I have more discs?
Because only the count at the end matters. Taking lots of discs early usually costs you mobility and corners, and the position flips back.
What happens if I cannot move?
Your turn is skipped and your opponent plays again. If neither player can move, the game ends.