Is Reversi the same as Othello?
Nearly. Othello is a trademarked version of Reversi with a fixed diagonal start and Black moving first. That modern setup is exactly the one played here.
Reversi is the older name. The game was played in England in the late 19th century, and early versions let players place the first four discs wherever they liked in the centre. Othello, introduced in Japan in the 1970s, fixed the starting position and became the version most people know.
How the two compare
- Same board and flipping rules. Both use an 8×8 board, and a move must outflank and flip at least one opposing disc.
- Starting position. Othello always starts with the four centre discs on the diagonals. Trindo uses that same start.
- First move. In Othello, Black moves first, as it does here. See who goes first.
- Passing and the end. A player with no legal move passes, and the game ends when neither player can move. The rules here match.
In practice, if you know Othello, you already know how to play Reversi on Trindo Games, and Othello strategy carries straight over: see the Reversi strategy guide.
For practical play beyond this rule, read Reversi Strategy: Corners and Mobility.
Play Reversi free →Invite a friend or practice with the computer. No sign-up.