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Nim
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— About the game
About Nim
Nim is one of the oldest mathematical games still played. Several piles of objects sit on the table. Players take turns removing one or more objects from a single pile. The player who takes the last object wins (in the most common version). It looks like a simple counting game. It is actually one of the most studied games in combinatorial game theory.
The fascinating thing about Nim is that it has a mathematically perfect strategy. If you know the XOR rule — adding pile sizes in binary — you can always win from a winning position. New players play instinct. Experienced players play maths. Beating a Nim AI is the moment you graduate from one to the other.
This browser Nim plays free with no sign-up. It works on phone with tap-to-remove and on desktop with click. Your win record is stored locally. It is one of the most genuinely educational games on the site — a five-minute game that teaches a real mathematical insight you can use forever.
— How to play
How to play Nim
- Hover sticks in a pile to preview
- Click to take that many
- Take the last stick to win
— Controls
Nim controls
Desktop (mouse & keyboard)
Nim uses mouse click on desktop. The exact inputs for each action are listed in the "How to play" steps above.
Mobile (touchscreen)
On phone or tablet, Nim responds to tap and swipe as the steps describe — no on-screen joystick needed. Works in most modern browsers on any recent phone.
— Compatibility
Devices & browsers
Runs on
Any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS or Android. No plugin or install is required.
Offline & PWA
Once loaded, gameplay does not require a constant internet connection. GameJadoo can also be installed as a Progressive Web App from your browser's menu for home-screen access.
— Strategy & tips
How to win
- Learn the XOR rule. XOR the pile sizes in binary — if zero, the position is losing.
- Aim to leave the opponent in an XOR-zero state on every turn.
- In small games, memorise the losing positions: (1,1), (2,2), (3,3) etc. are all instant draws.
- When in doubt, count. Nim rewards thinking time.
- Play against the AI repeatedly to build pattern recognition.
— Game features
Why you'll love it
- Classic mathematical pile-removal game
- Solvable strategy that rewards real learning
- Win record saved locally between sessions
- Free, no download, instant in any browser
— Frequently asked questions
Nim FAQ
How do you play Nim?
Nim is a board game. To get started: Hover sticks in a pile to preview The complete step-by-step controls are listed under "How to play" above.
Is Nim free to play?
Yes. Nim is free to play on GameJadoo — no charges, no in-app purchases, no sign-up.
Do I need to download Nim?
No. Nim is an HTML5 browser game — it runs directly in your web browser without any download or plugin.
Can I play Nim on a phone or Chromebook?
Yes. Nim runs in any modern browser on phone, tablet, laptop or Chromebook.
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