Official Rules of Reversi (Othello)
If you already know how to play Reversi (Othello) but want to clarify a specific rule, this guide covers the official rules in detail. Use this as a reference for gameplay, disputes, or tournament play.
Board Setup
- The game is played on an 8x8 grid.
- Each player chooses a color: black or white.
- The game starts with four discs in the center: black on D5 and E4, white on D4 and E5.
- Black always moves first.
Making a Move
- On your turn, place a disc of your color on an empty square.
- The disc must bracket one or more of your opponent’s discs in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) between the disc you just placed and another disc of your color.
- All bracketed discs are flipped to your color.
- You must flip at least one opponent disc with every move. If you cannot, you must pass your turn.
Passing
- If you have no legal moves, you must pass. Your opponent continues until you can move again or the game ends.
- If neither player can move, the game ends.
End of Game
- The game ends when neither player can make a move (usually when the board is full).
- The winner is the player with the most discs of their color on the board.
Special Rule Clarifications
- Multiple Directions: You can flip discs in more than one direction with a single move.
- Edge and Corner Moves: The same bracketing rule applies to edges and corners.
- No Skipping: You cannot skip your turn unless you have no legal moves.
- No Diagonal-Only Moves: Moves can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, but must always bracket at least one disc.
- Touching Own Disc: You cannot place a disc next to your own unless it brackets opponent discs.
Frequently Asked Rule Questions
- Q: Can I flip discs in multiple lines with one move? Yes, you flip all bracketed discs in every direction from your placed disc.
- Q: What if both players must pass? The game ends and the winner is determined by disc count.
- Q: Can I place a disc anywhere? No, only on squares where you can flip at least one opponent disc.
Tournament and Online Play
- Official tournaments use these rules, with black always moving first.
- Online games may enforce passing automatically if no legal moves are available.
If you need clarification on a specific scenario, let us know in the comments or community!