What Is Othello?
Othello, also known as Reversi, is one of the world's most popular strategy board games. Played on an 8×8 board, two players compete by placing black and white discs with the goal of controlling more squares than their opponent when the game ends.
The rules are easy to learn in just a few minutes — see our complete Othello rules guide — but the game offers remarkable strategic depth. Every move affects the rest of the match, rewarding careful planning, tactical thinking, and long-term decision-making. This balance of simplicity and strategy has made Othello a favorite for generations.
How to Play Othello
On this site, you can enjoy Othello with the following common rules.
- When you trap opponent discs vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, those discs flip to your color
- Both players keep flipping discs to their own color and the player with the most discs at the end wins
- You can only place a disc on a square where it would trap opponent discs (a legal move)
- If a player has no legal move available, their turn is automatically passed
- The game ends when there are no more legal moves for either player
How to Win at Othello
The goal of Othello is to have more discs of your color than your opponent when the game ends.
To improve, focus on board position, mobility, corner control, and predicting future moves. Practice regularly, study different patterns, and review your games to discover better decisions.
For players who want to improve further, Othello puzzles and strategy guides are excellent ways to develop stronger tactical awareness.
Winning Strategies for Othello
Although Othello has simple rules, becoming a strong player requires practice and strategic thinking. Experienced players focus on controlling important areas of the board instead of simply flipping as many discs as possible.
Don't Chase Early Disc Count
Having the most discs early in the game is often misleading. In many matches, the eventual winner actually has fewer discs during the opening and middle game before taking control near the end.
Control Mobility
One of the most important advanced strategies is limiting your opponent's available moves while maximizing your own. Restricting your opponent's options forces mistakes and gives you greater control over the pace of the game.
Capture the Corners
The four corner squares are the strongest positions in the game. Once a corner is captured, it can never be flipped by your opponent. Controlling corners often leads to stable edges and long-term board control.
Protect the Edges
Edge squares are generally safer than interior squares because they have fewer directions from which they can be attacked. Building stable edge positions can provide a significant advantage during the middle and end game.
Avoid Giving Away Corners
One of the biggest beginner mistakes is placing discs directly next to an empty corner. Doing so often allows your opponent to capture the corner on the following turn, giving them a permanent advantage.
Think Ahead
Every move changes the list of legal moves for both players. Rather than choosing the move that flips the most discs immediately, consider how your move will affect future turns. Strong players often sacrifice short-term gains to secure better positions later.
Start Playing Free Othello Now
Ready for your next challenge? Play Othello online for free directly in your browser. Enjoy quick matches, practice against the computer, challenge friends, and sharpen your strategy with every game.
New to Othello? Learn the rules and discover how to win at Othello. Want to practice alone? Play Othello against AI and improve your skills before taking on other players.
Whether you are searching for a free Othello game, an online Reversi experience, or a way to master winning tactics for Othello, your next match starts here.