Reversi (Othello)

Start with four discs in the center: two black and two white, arranged diagonally. Black typically moves first. Each player has a supply of discs (traditionally 32 each, sharing a pool of 64 two-sided discs).

Count all discs when the game ends. The player with more discs of their color wins. If both have 32, it's a draw. Games are often decided by large margins since a single move can flip many discs.

On your turn, place a disc of your color on an empty square. The placed disc must outflank one or more opponent discs in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). Outflanking means your new disc and an existing disc of your color form the two ends of a line with only opponent discs between them.

Corners are extremely valuable - once captured, they can never be flipped. Prioritize corner control. Avoid placing discs adjacent to corners early, as this gives your opponent corner access. Edge squares (especially X-squares diagonally adjacent to corners) are dangerous early in the game.

The game originated in England in the 1880s as Reversi. In 1971, Japanese salesman Goro Hasegawa trademarked an enhanced version as 'Othello,' which became extremely popular worldwide.