How to Play Nim

THE PLAYBOOK · SWEETTONG

Start Nim by looking at the playing area and its controls. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Look at what changes after your first action.

A useful comparison

Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board. Notice the feedback after each input.

Your goal

Remove the last counter on the board to win. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Notice how the game responds to your input.

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. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.

A useful example

If only one counter remains in one heap, taking it wins under the normal-play rule used here. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Read the matching step again.

Watch out for this

Only one pile may be changed per turn. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board.

Common questions

For this browser game, what is the goal of Nim?

Keep this in mind: Remove the last counter on the board to win.

While learning, how do I control Nim?

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

On this playing page, what example helps explain Nim?

For clarity: 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.

On this playing page, what should I watch out for in Nim?

Only one pile may be changed per turn.

While learning, what format does Nim offer?

Here is the relevant explanation: 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.