How to Play Reversi (Othello): Rules and Winning Basics

Reversi — widely known by its trademarked name Othello — is a deceptively simple 8×8 strategy game where the lead can flip in a single move. Here's how it works.

Setup

The board starts with four discs in the center: two black, two white, arranged diagonally. Black moves first.

How a move works

On your turn, you must place a disc so that it flanks — traps between your new disc and another disc you already own — at least one continuous line of your opponent's discs, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Every flanked disc flips to your color immediately.

If you can't move

If you have no legal move, your turn is skipped and play passes to your opponent. If neither player can move, the game ends immediately.

How the game ends

The game ends when the board is full or neither player has a legal move. Whoever controls more discs at that point wins.

Want to try it live? Play Reversi on GAMEAREA with ranked matchmaking.