How to Play Nim

THE PLAYBOOK · WHWYBK

How to play Nim

The WHWYBK guide to Nim starts with mistake-aware practice. Your task is to remove the last counter on the board to win. Use the controls below and follow the example to get started.

Mistake-aware practice

Read the common mistake below before starting. Watch for that situation during the round rather than relying on trial and error.

Your goal

Remove the last counter on the board to win.

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.

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.

Watch out for this

Only one pile may be changed per turn.

Common questions