Reversi

RULES AND TECH NOTES

Reversi is a two-player game. Up to 28 spectators can sit in on the game to watch the action!

• The player who moves first is picked randomly.
• Your name will blink when it is your turn.
• The area around your name is the same color as your stones.
• The "Play" button: The "Play" button will appear at the end of the game.

Click it to play a rematch without leaving the game!

Rules

Reversi is similar to Othello®, and is a strategy game that involves lightning-fast score changes and long-term strategy.

The game is played on a board consisting of 64 squares (Like Mplayer Checkers) with Blue and Red stones. (The game pieces look like checkers but we're calling them 'stones' to avoid massive confusion and fist-fights) The object of Reversi is to have more of your color of stones on the board than your opponent. This is easier said than done, because as the name of the game implies, the tables can turn in a flash and reversals of fortune are to be expected.

A game of Reversi starts with four stones (two red and two blue) already in place on the board.

You flip, or reverse the color of stones by surrounding them in a line so the stones flip over to your color. For example, if you are Blue and you see a line of red stones with a blue stone at one end of the line, you would place your blue stone at the other end of the line. All of the red stones will flip and turn blue! (At which point you can shout, 'Ha!' triumphantly and do a little dance.)

Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal straight lines are valid:
The only legal moves you can make in Reversi are to surround your opponent's stones. (That's the goal of the game, remember?) It's required that you flip at least one of your opponent's stones on every turn. (Otherwise chaos would ensue) That's why each player starts with two pieces on the board. It's our way of helping you get started.

If you can't place a piece to surround at least one of your opponent's pieces, you lose your turn. You will get a semi-rude message telling you this, and it becomes your opponent's turn again--leaving your free to stew over what an unfair place the world really is.

Winning:
The game is over when neither player has any legal moves left. In most cases the board is completely full. The player with the most stones their color at the end of the game wins.

Strategy:

• Keep in mind that position is far more important than points. Since early points are likely to swing back and forth during the game, plan for long-term victory. Don't be afraid to lose a battle to win the war.

• A popular tactic is to occupy a few positions in the middle of the board and let your opponent occupy the outer edges through most of the game. Then, towards the end of the game, you can place stones anywhere on the edges of the board and flip a whole lot of stones in just a few turns.

• A good place to be is on the edges of the board, so your opponent can't place stones outside yours. Avoid the spaces right next to the edge. That's why the spaces two cells in from the edge are good to occupy.

• The four corners are the very best positions to occupy on the board. This is because they can't be taken away.

• Check for all the angles. If your opponent occupies an entire column, you may be able to break it up horizontally or diagonally.

• There are times when you can place a single stone that will flip your opponent's stones in more than one direction. This is great fun. Be on the lookout for these opportunities and feel free to cackle with delight when you find them.

• If you can make a move that will only yield you one or two pieces but that will leave your opponent without a legal move, do it! Then you get two turns in a row.

Scoring:

Scoring in Reversi is pretty fundamental. The numbers of red and blue stones are displayed during the game. Whoever has the most stones when no other moves can be made is the winner.

Expect the score to swing wildly back and forth with every turn during the course of the game. That's part of the fun--so enjoy!

Text Chat:
To text chat, simply begin typing. You will see your message in the chat window. You must press 'Enter' to send your message.

Voice Chat:
In order to Voice Chat, you're required to have a PC compatible microphone plugged into your computer. To talk, click and hold the 'TALK' button in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Without shouting, be sure to speak clearly into your microphone.

The following commands can be entered into the text chat window:
/flip - flip board
/who - To see a list players and spectators currently in the game room
/credits - shows credits
/honk, /scream, /laugh, /nice, /wee, /cackle, and /moo to make comical
sounds to amuse and startle others in the room!

Launching the game with more than 2 players:
You can launch the game with as many as 32 players. The moderator will get a spot in the game as will one of the other players. The others will be spectators. The decision of which player is to be selected to play is random.

If a player drops out a game in progress, a spectator can take over the open position. Cool, huh?

OFFICIAL LEAGUES


Think You're Good?

Then join the official Reversi league of Mplayer run by Case's Ladder. You compete against the best players in the game. Try to climb the "ladder" to the number one spot or compete in daily tournaments. Our leagues are simple to learn and fun to play in. Simply sign up on Case's Ladder, play your games on Mplayer and then report your matches to Case's Ladder.