THE PLAYBOOK · SZNTHZB
How to play Nim
Bring your attention to one round of Nim. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Look at what changes after your first action.
Read before acting
Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Make the next step deliberately.
Your goal
Remove the last counter on the board to win. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Review the board or playing area as it changes.
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. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Return to the rules if the result is unexpected.
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. Your next round may have a different position, so inspect it before acting. Read the matching step again.
Watch out for this
Only one pile may be changed per turn. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. 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
While learning, what is the goal of Nim?
Here is the relevant explanation: Remove the last counter on the board to win.
For my first round, how do I control Nim?
For clarity: Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.
When I return, what example helps explain Nim?
Keep this in mind: If only one counter remains in one heap, taking it wins under the normal-play rule used here.
On this playing page, what should I watch out for in Nim?
Keep this in mind: Only one pile may be changed per turn.
Before I begin, 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 my first round, which play mode does Nim use?
The mode on this page is Same-device two players. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.
