How to Play Reversi

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Reversi is a board game that is easy to learn but has enough depth to keep improving at. This guide walks you through the rules, the controls and the key tips beginners need to play confidently within a couple of rounds. You can play right here on this page — the game is embedded above.

— The basics

What is Reversi?

Reversi — also known as Othello — is a strategy board game where pieces flip from one colour to the other based on the placement of new pieces. Two players take turns placing discs on an 8×8 board. Whichever player has more discs of their colour on the board when it fills wins.

Reversi is one of the most strategically deep games you can play in five minutes. The early game looks deceptively quiet. The midgame is where the position swings, sometimes by twenty discs on a single move. The endgame is pure calculation. New players play for piece count. Better players play for corners, mobility and the absolute power of the four corner squares.

— Step-by-step controls

How to play — the steps

Step 1: Tap a highlighted square
Step 2: Sandwich opponent pieces to flip them
Step 3: Win by holding more pieces on a full board

— Beginner tips

Beginner tips for Reversi

Play for corners, not for piece count. A corner is worth twenty pieces in the endgame.
Avoid the X-squares (diagonally next to corners). Playing them lets the AI take the corner.
Mobility matters. A move that gives the opponent fewer choices is almost always best.
In the early game, having fewer pieces on the board is often a good sign.
Count the endgame carefully. A small advantage can flip back fast.

— Where to play

Play Reversi free right now

You can play Reversi free on GameJadoo — no download, no sign-up, works on any modern phone, tablet or computer. The game is embedded above so you can start playing while the guide is still open, or visit the full Reversi game page for related guides, achievements and share options.

— Frequently asked questions

How to play Reversi — FAQ

Is Reversi hard to learn?

No. Reversi is designed so anyone can pick it up in under a minute. The full ruleset above is short, the controls are intuitive, and most players are playing confidently by their second or third round.

Do I need to install anything to play Reversi?

No. Reversi runs directly in your web browser using HTML5. There is no installer, no download, no plugin — just open the page and play.

Can I play Reversi on my phone?

Yes. Reversi works on phones and tablets with touch controls. The controls scale to any screen size, and you can play in portrait or landscape.

What is the best strategy for Reversi?

Start with the basics — Play for corners, not for piece count. A corner is worth twenty pieces in the endgame. As you get more comfortable, the tips section above covers the advanced techniques that separate casual play from personal-best runs.