How to Play Nim

THE PLAYBOOK · XTTAOBAO

How to play Nim

Use a short break to learn the rhythm of Nim. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Read the objective before making your first input. Use the example below to understand a decision.

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. 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. Start with a deliberate move.

Step by step

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

Controls

Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Read the example below alongside these instructions.

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. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Keep the game’s format in mind.

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