How to Play Reversi

Game Setup

Reversi is played on an 8x8 board. The game begins with four discs placed in the center of the board in a square pattern: two black discs and two white discs, with same-colored discs on a diagonal.

Reversi board setup

Basic Rules

  1. Black always moves first. Players take turns placing one disc of their color on the board.
  2. A valid move must outflank at least one opponent's disc. Outflanking means placing a disc so that it traps a line of your opponent's discs between your newly placed disc and another of your discs already on the board.
  3. After placing a disc, any of the opponent's discs that are outflanked are flipped to your color.
  4. If a player cannot make a valid move, their turn is skipped and the opponent moves again.
Example of a valid move

Winning the Game

The game ends when neither player can make a valid move. This usually occurs when the board is full. The player with the most discs of their color on the board wins. If both players have the same number of discs, the game is a tie.

Reversi endgame example

Strategy Tips