Reversi (Othello) Strategy: Corners, Mobility and Patience
Why having fewer pieces early is good — and how corners win
Win Reversi (Othello) by prioritising corners above everything — a corner piece can never be flipped, so it anchors whole edges. Counterintuitively, having FEWER pieces in the early game is usually good because it preserves your mobility (your options to move). Avoid the squares diagonally next to corners (the "X-squares"), which hand corners to your opponent. Patience beats greed.
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Reversi
Start a game here — then use the corner-and-mobility strategy below to stop losing the games you thought you were winning.
#2Tower War
A strategy game that rewards the same patient, positional thinking as Reversi.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best strategy in Reversi (Othello)?
Prioritise corners above all else — a corner piece can never be flipped, so it anchors entire edges and provides permanent stability. Beyond corners, prize mobility (keeping many good moves available) over raw piece count, and avoid the squares next to corners that would let your opponent capture them.
Why is having fewer pieces good early in Othello?
Because piece count in the early and middle game is almost irrelevant — pieces flip constantly until the board fills. Having fewer pieces often means you have more empty squares to play into, which preserves your mobility. A player with few pieces but many good moves usually beats a greedy player who flipped big stacks early.
What are X-squares and C-squares in Reversi?
X-squares are the diagonal squares adjacent to each corner; C-squares are the edge squares next to corners. Playing them early is dangerous because it typically gives your opponent access to capture the corner. Strong players avoid X-squares and C-squares until forced, precisely to protect the corners.
How important are corners in Othello?
Critically important — corners are the only squares that can never be flipped once you take them. A corner lets you build stable, unflippable lines along both edges that meet there. Most Othello games are decided by who controls the corners, which is why so much of the strategy revolves around taking them and denying them.
Is HT Hub Reversi free to play online?
Yes — HT Hub's Reversi is free, browser-based with no install, and works on desktop and mobile. Play against the computer or a friend.
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