Popular
Reversi (Othello)
Reversi dates to 1883 England, though the trademarked version Othello was popularized in Japan in 1971 by Goro Hasegawa. The famous tagline — "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master" — is accurate. The rules are simple, but top players think 10-20 moves ahead and evaluate positions by disc stability, not just disc count.
Reversi (Othello) Rules
The game is played on an 8×8 board. It starts with four discs in the center — two black and two white — placed diagonally. Black moves first.
On your turn, place a disc on an empty square so that it flanks one or more of your opponent's discs in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). All flanked discs are flipped to your color. You must flip at least one disc to make a valid move.
If you have no valid move, your turn is skipped and your opponent plays again. The game ends when neither player can move (usually when the board is full). The player with the most discs wins.
Reversi (Othello) Strategy & Tips
Grab corners — they can't be flipped
Corner squares are permanent. Once you place a disc on a corner, it can never be outflanked. Corners also let you build stable edges. Most Reversi strategy revolves around getting corners while denying them to your opponent.
Avoid the X-squares and C-squares
The squares diagonally adjacent to corners (X-squares) and directly adjacent to corners (C-squares) are dangerous. Playing on an X-square gives your opponent a path to the corner. Avoid these squares early in the game unless you're sure the adjacent corner is safe.
Maximize mobility, not disc count
Beginners try to flip as many discs as possible every turn. This is backward. Flipping lots of discs gives your opponent more moves and more control. Instead, try to make quiet moves that limit your opponent's options. Having fewer discs in the midgame is often an advantage.
Build stable discs along edges
A disc that can't be flipped is called stable. Discs connected to a corner along an edge are stable. Once you take a corner, extend along the edge to build a wall of permanent discs. A stable edge is worth far more than a handful of flippable discs in the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Reversi and Othello?
The rules are essentially the same. Othello is a trademarked version of Reversi with a standardized starting position (four discs in the center) and the rule that Black always moves first. Classic Reversi sometimes allows different opening setups. In practice, most people use the names interchangeably.
Is it better to have more or fewer discs in Reversi?
Fewer — at least in the midgame. Having fewer discs means your opponent has more frontier discs (discs next to empty squares) and more places where you can outflank. Top players often deliberately keep a low disc count until the endgame, then flip the board in the final moves.
What is the most important square in Othello?
The four corners. Corners are the only squares that can never be flipped once occupied. Controlling corners lets you build stable edges and dominate the board in the endgame. Nearly every strategic decision in Othello relates to corner control.