THE PLAYBOOK · YUBOJIAGU
How to play Nim
Try Nim at your own pace and keep its objective in view. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Check the rule that explains your first action. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.
Try a deliberate move
After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again. Refer to the controls when needed.
Your goal
Remove the last counter on the board to win. The feedback beside the game helps you follow the round. Try to explain the aim in your own words.
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. Use the control method described here for this activity. A new-round button replaces the current round.
A useful example
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. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Take a moment to compare.
Watch out for this
Only one pile may be changed per turn. Compare the situation with the worked example. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.
Common questions
When I return, what is the goal of Nim?
Here is the relevant explanation: Remove the last counter on the board to win.
For this browser game, how do I control Nim?
Keep this in mind: Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.
While learning, what example helps explain Nim?
With piles of 1 and 2, a move may empty one pile, but cannot remove one counter from both in the same turn.
On this playing page, what should I watch out for in Nim?
The key detail is this: Only one pile may be changed per turn.
As a new player, what format does Nim offer?
For clarity: Play using the same-device two players mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For a quick reminder, which play mode does Nim use?
Keep this in mind: The mode on this page is Same-device two players. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.
