⚫ Othello Online

Online Othello game for 2 players. Share a room code to play with your friends.

Host(Black)
Guest(White)
2
vs
2
Match starting!

treatment

  • Click "Create Room" to get a room code and share it with your friend
  • Your friend enters the code with "Join Room" to join
  • The host who creates the room plays black (goes first), and the participant plays white (goes second).
  • The semi-transparent circles on the green board show where you can place a piece. Click to place it.
  • If you pinch an opponent's stone vertically, horizontally or diagonally, the stone will be turned over!
  • If there is no place to put it, it will automatically pass.

What is Online Othello?

Othello, also known as Reversi, is a strategic board game played on an 8×8 grid with black and white discs. Players place discs to trap and flip their opponent's pieces, aiming to have more of their color on the board when the game ends. This online version enables real-time play with a friend using a room code, with no downloads needed.

How to Use

Join a match via shared room code where one player controls black and the other controls white. On your turn, place your disc on an empty square such that it traps your opponent's pieces in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). All trapped pieces between your newly placed disc and an existing piece of your color automatically flip to your color. If no valid move exists, your turn passes. Players alternate until the board fills or neither player has valid moves. The player with more discs of their color at game's end wins.

Use Cases

Othello Online serves several purposes:
• Strategic gameplay for players who enjoy chess-like depth but with faster game flow
• Evening entertainment with friends across distances
• Developing tactical planning and consequence assessment skills
• Solo practice against AI or arranged matches with similarly-skilled opponents
• Cultural interest—understanding a classic game with centuries of strategy theory
Games typically finish in 15-25 minutes, providing satisfying competitive experiences without excessive time commitment.

Tips & Insights

Othello strategy emphasizes positional control over piece quantity—having more discs mid-game doesn't guarantee victory. Corner squares are powerful because discs placed there cannot be flipped, so prioritize corner access. Edge control is secondary but valuable. Avoid the squares immediately adjacent to corners in early gameplay, as these often hand corners to opponents. Late-game tactics shift toward forcing opponents into limited moves. Study classic openings to build a strategic foundation before experimenting with novel approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start an online match?

Click "Create Room" to get a 4-character room code and share it with your opponent. When they enter the code with "Join Room", the game starts.

How are first and second players determined?

The host who creates the room plays black (goes first), and the guest who joins plays white (goes second).

What happens if I can't move?

If you can't place a piece, you automatically pass and the turn goes to your opponent.

What are the conditions for game termination?

The game ends when the board is full or neither player can move. The player with more pieces wins.

How many pieces are on the board at the start of the game?

Each player starts with 2 pieces positioned in the center of the board. The 8×8 board is otherwise empty, with players taking turns to place pieces.

Can you capture opponent pieces in multiple directions with a single move?

Yes, a single placement can capture pieces in multiple directions if valid rows exist between your new piece and existing pieces. All captured pieces flip color in one turn.

What happens if a player has no valid moves available?

That player must pass their turn, and the opponent gets another move. The game continues until both players pass consecutively or the board is full.

How is the final score calculated to determine the winner?

Each player's score equals the number of pieces they control on the board when the game ends. The player with more pieces wins.

What's the typical duration of an online Othello match?

Most games last 10-20 minutes depending on player experience and thinking time. Faster players can finish in 5 minutes while strategic players may take longer.

Are there difficulty levels or AI opponents to practice against?

This is an online-only game for 2-player matches with no AI opponent mode. You can only compete against real players using a shared room code.