Quick Strategy Tips for Online Play
Online opponents react faster than AI — having your strategy already in mind before each turn makes a big difference.
Corners are everything. The four corner squares can never be flipped. Take every corner the instant it becomes available. Opponents who consistently grab corners win the vast majority of games.
Never gift a corner. The squares diagonally adjacent to each corner (b2, b7, g2, g7) are known as X-squares. Playing one when the adjacent corner is empty lets your opponent take that corner next turn.
Fewer discs early is stronger. New players try to flip as many discs as possible. Experienced players flip the minimum needed — it limits the opponent’s options and keeps your formation tight.
Watch your opponent’s move count. If your opponent has very few legal moves, keep that pressure on. A player forced to pass gives you two turns in a row — a decisive advantage.
Reversi Rules at a Glance
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Board | 8×8 grid, 64 squares |
| Starting position | 4 discs in the centre — D4 White, E4 Black, D5 Black, E5 White |
| Who goes first | Black always moves first |
| Legal move | Must bracket ≥1 opponent disc in a straight line |
| Flipping | All bracketed discs in every direction are flipped |
| Passing | Pass if no legal move exists; game ends when neither player can move |
| Winning | Most discs of your colour when the game ends |
Learn More
- How to play Reversi — Complete beginner guide
- Reversi rules — Official rules reference
- Reversi tips for beginners — 10 tips to start winning
- Reversi strategy guide — Full strategic framework
- Play vs computer — Practice against AI at 5 difficulty levels