Reversi
The classic disc-flipping game, also known as Othello. Trap your opponent's pieces to flip them, grab the corners, and finish with the most discs. Play the computer across three levels. No ads, no sign-in.
Your move. Legal squares are dotted.
Click a dotted square to place a disc and flip the trapped line · Corners can't be flipped — grab them.
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Reversi is one of nine classics in Snackpack Brain Games — our calm, ad-free Android bundle of strategy, cards and puzzles.
- Plays fully offline — flights, commutes, anywhere
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How to play Reversi (Othello)
Reversi is played on an 8×8 board. It begins with four discs in the centre — two black, two white — placed diagonally. You play black and move first. On your turn you place a disc on an empty square so that it brackets one or more of your opponent's discs in a straight line — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — with another of your discs at the far end. Every opponent disc trapped on those lines flips to your colour. You can only play a move that flips at least one disc.
If you have no legal move, your turn is skipped (a pass). The game ends when the board is full or neither player can move, and whoever has more discs on the board wins. Here the legal squares for your turn are shown as small dots — just click one to place and flip.
Strategy tips
- Corners are everything. A disc in a corner can never be flipped, and it anchors whole edges. Take corners whenever you safely can.
- Avoid the X-squares. The squares diagonally next to a corner are dangerous early — they often hand your opponent the corner.
- Fewer is more, early on. Having the most discs in the midgame is often bad; it usually means fewer safe moves later. Prioritise mobility.
- Limit your opponent's options. Aim for positions where they have very few legal moves — even forcing them to pass.
- Build stable edges. Discs anchored to a corner along an edge are safe and powerful.
A little history
Reversi dates to 1880s England, where two inventors disputed its origin. The modern, standardised version — fixed starting position and the name Othello — was popularised in Japan in the early 1970s by Goro Hasegawa, and it became a worldwide bestseller. Its appeal is famous: "a minute to learn, a lifetime to master." Computers play it extremely well, but the opponent here is tuned to give you a fair, enjoyable game.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reversi the same as Othello?
Practically yes — Othello is a standardised version of Reversi with a fixed starting position. The rules you play here are the common modern ones.
Why can't I place a disc on some squares?
A move is only legal if it traps at least one of the opponent's discs between your new disc and an existing one. Legal squares are shown as dots.
What happens if I can't move?
Your turn is passed automatically. If neither player can move, the game ends and the majority of discs wins.
Can I play offline?
The web version needs an open browser tab. For fully offline play, install the free Snackpack Brain Games app on Android.