THE PLAYBOOK · SHANGHAIJXC
Nim: from controls to your first round
Choose a round of Nim and settle into its rules. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Look at what changes after your first action. Treat the first round as a chance to learn the controls. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move.
Practice beyond the first move
After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again. Refer to the controls when needed.
Your objective
Remove the last counter on the board to win. Read that aim before choosing your first action. Follow this game’s rules rather than another version’s.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
Making selections and moves
Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Avoid pressing the same control repeatedly while a move is being processed.
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. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Choose a deliberate next step.
Keep this in mind
Only one pile may be changed per turn. Compare the situation with the worked example. After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again.
Read these answers for extra help
When I return, 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?
Here is the relevant explanation: Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.
As a new player, 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.
What should I watch out for in Nim?
Keep this in mind: Only one pile may be changed per turn.
While learning, what format does Nim offer?
The key detail is this: Play using the same-device two players mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For this browser game, which play mode does Nim use?
Here is the relevant explanation: The mode on this page is Same-device two players. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.
