How to Play Nim

THE PLAYBOOK · ARTUTULE4D

Try Nim at your own pace and keep its objective in view. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move.

Review a difficult moment

When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round. Use the example to check your reasoning.

Your goal

Remove the last counter on the board to win. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Take a moment to understand the current position.

Step by step

Player 1 chooses a pile.
Remove at least one counter, and up to all counters, from that pile.
The next player chooses a pile and an amount.
Continue until no counters remain.

Controls

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. Make sure you are interacting with the game rather than the surrounding page.

A useful example

With piles of 1 and 2, a move may empty one pile, but cannot remove one counter from both in the same turn. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Consider the next action carefully.

Watch out for this

Only one pile may be changed per turn. Check the rule before repeating the action. Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart.

Common questions

For my first round, what is the goal of Nim?

For clarity: Remove the last counter on the board to win.

While learning, how do I control Nim?

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.

For my first round, what example helps explain Nim?

Here is the relevant explanation: With heaps of 1, 2 and 3 counters, choose one heap and remove at least one counter from it. You cannot take from two heaps in the same turn.

For a quick reminder, what should I watch out for in Nim?

Only one pile may be changed per turn.

When I return, what format does Nim offer?

Play using the same-device two players mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.

On this playing page, which play mode does Nim use?

For clarity: The mode on this page is Same-device two players. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.