Q&A for How to Play Othello

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

The discs at 4 corners of the board cannot be flip after being placed there right? But we can flip those alongside the edges?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Correct, any disks placed in the corners will stay their original color throughout the entire game, but pieces along the edge may still be flipped as long as there are open spaces.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
Question

Is it a valid move to place disc between the two opponent's discs as long as it outflanks other discs of the opponent?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can place your disk anywhere as long as at least 1 of your opponent's disks sandwiched between 2 of your pieces a straight horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
Question

If you place a black peice in the middle of a white line with black pieces at either side can you flip the whole line ?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, you can flip multiple rows if playing a piece outflanks 2 or more at the same time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
Question

Who is the winner of Othello when the player with the most discs at the end can't move?

Community Answer

When you can't make a move, the game ends. Both players then count their discs, and the person with the most wins.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 38
Question

If there are two chances of flipping (e.g.:horizontally and vertically) on placing a risk, can I flip in both directions?

Community Answer

In one move, you can flank in two or even more sides, if possible. If there are two chances of flipping (e.g.:horizontally and vertically) on placing a risk, you can flip in both directions.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 23
Question

If I outflank my opponent and flip a disc which then outflanks a number of other discs, am I allowed to flip those as well?

Community Answer

No. Only the discs which are outflanked by the stone you placed can be flipped. Flipped discs do not create chain reactions.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 20
Question

Can I place the coins in the corner on the first chance?

Community Answer

Yes. As soon as there is a coin in a spot adjacent to a corner that you can flip when placing a coin, you can place your coin in the corner (and taking a corner as soon as you can is normally the best move).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 11
Question

Does it count in a diagonal direction, or just horizontal and vertical?

Community Answer

Diagonals count, and are probably the easiest way to get corners at that. Also, one move can set off multiple turns, all the way up to all eight directions if that were somehow available.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
Question

Could I ever play a disk next to my own color if I am on my way to being able to flip a row?

Community Answer

The only invalid moves are those that do not turn disks. A move that turns and happens to be next to another of your disks is perfectly valid.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 20
Question

Can I flank diagonally?

Community Answer

Yes, the player who is trapped is between your color, meaning the other disc is now yours.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 22
Question

Could I place my very first disk in any corner as a first attempt?

Community Answer

No. Only moves that can turn discs are valid. For example, on the first turn with the four discs in the center, Black can only place discs on the other side of the two White discs, which turns them. Getting to the corners takes a bit of work.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
Question

Can I place a disk next to my opponent even if I can't turn it?

Community Answer

You can't place a disk unless you are flanking a player.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 18
Question

How many discs can I flip in a move?

Community Answer

You can flip as many discs as there are connected in a straight line from your played disc. This could feasibly be up to 18 discs at one time.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 11
Question

If I place my disc separately from other discs, is it a legal move in Othello?

Đinh Đức Nhân

Community Answer

It's definitely not legal, since it doesn't flank any of the opponent's discs. If you could not make a move, your turn is forfeited.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Question

If I can't make a move in Othello, can my opponent keep taking a turn until I am able to make a move again?

Community Answer

Yes, or until neither of you can make a move, at which point you count the discs and declare a winner.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1