Frequently asked questions about Reversi
Who starts the game?
Black always plays the first move. In the app, the "Who starts" setting decides your color: "You" gives you Black, "Computer" gives Black to the computer, and "Random" picks at random for each new game. "Random" is the default.
Can you pass your turn?
Only when you have no legal move: you can't pass by choice. In the app, the turn then goes automatically to your opponent, who plays again. If neither side can move, the game ends.
When does the game end?
When the board is full, with 64 discs, or earlier if neither side can place a disc. The side with the most discs of its color wins, and a draw is possible.
Who gets the empty squares at the end?
Nobody: the app only counts the discs placed. Some tournament scoring systems give the empty squares to the winner, but the app doesn't. Example: the shortest possible game ends at 13 discs to 0 after 9 moves, with 51 empty squares.
What is the difference between the computer's levels?
The level sets how far ahead the computer looks: 1 move on Easy, 3 on Medium and 5 on Hard, counting the moves of both sides. For each move it considers, it examines at most 128 positions, which keeps the game fast. You choose the level in the New game window; Hard is the default level.
What are the green dots on the board for?
They show the squares where you can place a disc, only when it's your turn. The last disc placed is outlined with a golden frame. Flipped discs rotate so you can see what changed.
Why are corners said to be valuable?
A disc placed in a corner can never be flipped again: no line can bracket it. It then serves as an anchor for winning the edges. This is a playing tip, not a rule, and it depends on the position.