Quick Rules
Reversi is a two-player board game you can learn in a minute and keep getting better at for years. One side plays the dark discs and the other the light discs, and every move can turn the game around.
- The board. Sixty-four squares, eight by eight. The game starts with four discs in the middle: two dark and two light, set crosswise.
- Dark goes first. Then the players take turns placing one disc each.
- Trap to move. Your new disc must trap one or more of the other side's discs in a straight line, across, down or diagonally, between it and a disc of yours.
- Flip. Every trapped disc flips over to your color. One move can trap discs in several directions at once, and all of them flip.
- No move? Pass. If you cannot trap anything, you pass and the other side plays again.
- The end. When neither side can move, count the discs. Most discs wins.
How to Play on This Page
Every square where you can play has a dot. Tap one and nothing is played yet: a see-through disc appears, and the discs that would flip get a dashed outline. Tap the same square again, or press Place Here, to put your disc down. Tapped the wrong square? Tap another one. This two-tap way of playing means a slip of the finger never costs you a move.
The count under the board shows how many discs each side has, and the last move is marked with a small diamond. Hint suggests a move and says why, Undo takes your last move back, and the Why? button beside each computer move explains its thinking. Dark discs are solid and light discs have a ring, so you can tell them apart without relying on color.
Playing with a grandchild or a friend? On a tablet or computer, tap New Game and choose New Game for Two Players to take turns on the same screen.
Tips for Winning
- Corners are gold. A disc in a corner can never be flipped, and it anchors the edges next to it.
- Stay off the squares next to an empty corner. A disc there usually hands the corner to the other side.
- Don't grab too many discs early. Flipping a lot now often leaves the other side plenty of good moves. Fewer, quieter moves are stronger.
- Count your choices. The player with more possible moves is usually winning, even with fewer discs.
- Edges are good, but not all of them. An edge disc is hard to flip, but one that can be trapped from both ends is a weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reversi free to play here?
Yes. Play as many games as you like for free, with no account, no download and no ads over the board.
How do I make a move?
Tap a square with a dot. Nothing is played yet: a see-through disc appears and every disc that would flip gets a dashed outline. Tap the same square again, or press Place Here, to put your disc down. If you change your mind, just tap a different square. Once you are confident you can switch on One tap to play in Settings.
What happens if I have no move?
You pass, and the other side moves again. The game does this for you and says so clearly in the box above the board. A pass is not a choice: if you have any legal move at all, you must play one.
Does the computer cheat?
No. Reversi has nothing hidden: the computer sees exactly the same board you do, and there are no dice or shuffled cards for it to peek at. It simply looks ahead at possible moves, more of them on Hard than on Easy. On Easy it is careless on purpose now and then. Tap Why? beside any computer move to read its reason.
How does the game end, and who wins?
The game ends when neither side can move, usually because the board is full. Whoever has more discs of their color on the board wins. If the count is equal, the game is a tie.
Can two people play on the same device?
Yes, on a tablet or computer. Tap New Game and choose New Game for Two Players, type your names if you like, and take turns. The name of whoever's turn it is is shown in large letters. On a small phone screen this option is hidden because the board is too small to share comfortably.
Can I take back a move?
Yes. Undo is on unless you turn off Allow Undo in Settings. Against the computer, Undo takes back your last move and the computer's reply, so it is your turn again.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every move, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
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