How to play Reversi
- The game starts with four discs in the centre — two dark, two light. Dark always moves first.
- On your turn, place a disc so that a straight line of your opponent's discs is trapped between your new disc and one you already have — across, down or diagonally.
- Every trapped disc flips to your colour. One move can flip lines in several directions at once.
- If you can't flip anything, you must pass. When neither player can move, the game is over.
- Whoever has more discs on the board at the end wins.
Strategy tips
- Corners can never be flipped. Grab them whenever you can.
- Stay off the squares diagonally next to an empty corner — they often hand your opponent that corner.
- Early on, fewer discs is often better: keep lots of possible moves for yourself and few for your opponent.
- Avoid building long walls next to empty squares. Those discs give your opponent new places to move.
- In the endgame, count carefully. The move that flips the most discs right now is often not the one that wins.
Three ways to play
Solo: endgame puzzles — a fresh challenge every day, the same for everyone. vs Computer: four characters from Rookie Robo (easy) to Grandmaster Owl (expert); beat each one to earn its star. vs Friend: pass the device, or send an invite link and play online — no account needed.
Variants
Solo mode has four daily endgame puzzles: you're to move with 8 to 12 empty squares left, and only some moves force a win against Grandmaster Owl, who plays the endgame perfectly. Against the computer you can face four characters, from Rookie Robo, who just loves flipping discs, to Grandmaster Owl, who solves the last moves exactly. You can also play a friend on one device or send an invite link.
About Reversi
Reversi was invented in England in the 1880s — two Englishmen, Lewis Waterman and John W. Mollett, both claimed to be its inventor — and it soon became a popular parlour game in Victorian England. The version played today, starting with four discs in the centre, became the standard in the 20th century and is now enjoyed in clubs and tournaments around the world. The rules take a minute to explain, yet the strategy keeps strong players busy for years. It's a great way for kids to practise planning ahead, because the board can change completely in a single move.
FAQ
Who moves first in Reversi?
Dark always moves first. In vs Computer games you take turns being dark, so every other game the computer starts.
What happens if I can't make a move?
If none of your moves would flip a disc, you must pass and your opponent moves again. The game ends when neither player can move — usually when the board is full.
Why is the corner so important?
A disc in a corner can never be flipped, and it helps protect the edges next to it. Most strong strategies are about winning corners and not giving them away.
How do the daily endgame puzzles work?
Every day there are four new endgame positions, the same for everyone. You're to move and can force a win, but only with the right moves. You get three hints, and you can retry or skip any puzzle.
Is it free? Does it work offline?
Completely free with no sign-up. Install the site from your browser menu and it keeps working without internet.