What is Reversi?
Reversi is a classic two-player strategy board game played on an 8×8 grid. Each player uses discs that are black on one side and white on the other, taking turns placing and flipping discs to control the board. Also widely known as Othello, Reversi has been enjoyed by millions of players worldwide since its invention in the 1880s.
The beauty of Reversi lies in its simplicity: the rules can be learned in just a few minutes, but mastering the game takes years of practice and strategic thinking. It’s a game where the board position can change dramatically in a single move, making every decision crucial.
What You Need to Play
To play Reversi, you need:
- An 8×8 game board — Similar to a chessboard but typically solid green
- 64 discs — Each disc is black on one side and white on the other
- Two players — One plays as Black, the other as White
If you’re playing online at Reversi Pro, everything is set up for you — just click and play!
Setting Up the Board
The game begins with exactly four discs placed in the center of the board:
- Place the board between both players
- Put four discs in the center four squares in a diagonal pattern:
- D4: White | E4: Black
- D5: Black | E5: White
- Black always takes the first turn
This creates an alternating pattern in the center of the board, giving both players equal starting opportunities.
Basic Rules of Reversi
Making a Move
On your turn, you must place one disc on an empty square such that it brackets (outflanks) one or more of your opponent’s discs. Bracketing means your newly placed disc and an existing disc of your color form a straight line with one or more opponent discs in between.
You can bracket discs in any of eight directions:
- Horizontally (left or right)
- Vertically (up or down)
- Diagonally (all four diagonal directions)
Flipping Discs
After placing your disc, all bracketed opponent discs in every applicable direction are flipped to your color. A single move can flip discs in multiple directions simultaneously.
Important: You must flip all possible discs — you cannot choose to flip only some of them.
Passing Your Turn
If you cannot make any valid move (no placement would bracket any opponent discs), you must pass your turn. Your opponent then plays again. If neither player can move, the game ends.
Winning the Game
The game ends when:
- The board is completely full (all 64 squares occupied), OR
- Neither player can make a valid move
The player with more discs of their color on the board wins. If both players have exactly 32 discs, the game is a draw.
Step-by-Step Example Game
Let’s walk through the first few moves of a typical game:
Black’s first move: Black places a disc at D3. This brackets the white disc at D4 between Black’s new disc (D3) and Black’s existing disc (D5). The white disc at D4 is flipped to black.
White’s response: White places a disc at C5, bracketing Black’s disc at D5 between White’s new disc and White’s disc at E5. Black’s disc at D5 flips to white.
The game continues with each player looking for moves that bracket and flip opponent discs. The board state changes rapidly with each move!
Essential Tips for Beginners
1. Don’t Chase Disc Count Early
One of the biggest beginner mistakes is trying to flip as many discs as possible in the early game. In Reversi, having fewer discs early on can actually be advantageous because:
- It gives your opponent fewer squares adjacent to your discs
- It limits your opponent’s available moves
- It keeps your options open for the middle and endgame
2. Corners Are King
Corners are the most valuable squares on the board because corner discs can never be flipped. Once you capture a corner, it’s yours permanently. Focus your strategy on:
- Setting up opportunities to capture corners
- Avoiding giving your opponent access to corners
- Using corners as anchors to build stable edges
3. Be Careful Around Corners
The squares immediately adjacent to empty corners (called X-squares and C-squares) are the most dangerous squares on the board. Playing in these squares often gives your opponent the opportunity to capture the corner.
4. Control the Edges
Edge discs are harder to flip than center discs because they can only be bracketed from fewer directions. Building stable edges (especially connected to corners) creates a strong position.
5. Think About Mobility
Mobility refers to the number of valid moves available to you. Try to:
- Maximize your own mobility (keep multiple options open)
- Minimize your opponent’s mobility (force them into bad positions)
- A player with no moves must pass — that’s a significant advantage for you!
Your Next Steps
Now that you know how to play, it’s time to put your skills to the test:
- Play against our AI — Practice at your own pace
- Read the official rules — Get every rule clarification you might need
- Learn beginner strategy — Take your game to the next level
- Play online against others — Challenge real opponents
Remember: the best way to improve at Reversi is to play! Every game teaches you something new. Good luck, and welcome to the world of Reversi!