1. Start from the center
The opening position has two black discs and two white discs arranged diagonally in the four center squares. This creates four legal opening moves for Black.
Instructions
Rules
Use this page as a reference while learning Reversi. The online game follows standard 8-by-8 rules with legal-move enforcement, automatic forced passes, and final disc scoring.
How to Play
PlayersTwo players use black and white discs. Black always makes the first move.
BoardThe game is played on an 8-by-8 grid with four discs already placed in the center.
GoalFinish with more discs than your opponent when neither player can move.
2. Make a legal placement
A move is legal only when the disc you place brackets at least one opposing disc between your new disc and another disc you already own. Bracketing can happen horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
3. Flip every bracketed line
After you place a disc, every opposing disc trapped in a continuous line flips to your color. A single placement can flip discs in several directions at once.
4. Pass only when forced
You cannot choose to pass if you have a legal move. If you have no legal move, the turn automatically passes to the other player.
5. Score the final board
The game ends when the board is full or when neither player has a legal move. Count all discs on the board; the player with the higher count wins. Equal counts are a draw.
Legal Move Checklist
| Adjacent opponent disc | Your new disc must point toward at least one neighboring opposing disc in a straight line. |
|---|---|
| Your disc closes the line | Past the opposing discs, the same line must end at one of your existing discs. |
| No gaps allowed | Empty squares break the line. Discs only flip across an unbroken chain of opposing discs. |
Common Illegal Moves
- Placing a disc on an occupied square.
- Placing next to an opposing disc without closing the line with your own disc.
- Trying to pass while at least one legal move is available.
- Flipping only one direction when the placement captures in multiple directions.
App behavior
The board keeps tactical assistance hidden, but illegal squares are disabled. Every playable move still follows standard Reversi rules.