THE PLAYBOOK · 556856
Getting started with Nim
Make Nim your next activity in the game library. Remove the last counter on the board to win. Look at what changes after your first action. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Look at what changes after your first action.
A focus for your next round
After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again. Keep the objective visible.
Understand the aim
Remove the last counter on the board to win. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. The example below illustrates a decision.
Making your moves
- 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.
Choosing and moving on screen
Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Look at the feedback after the action.
One way to understand the rules
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.
Keep this in mind
Only one pile may be changed per turn. A different version of the game may use a different rule. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.
Further help with the game
What is the goal of Nim?
For clarity: Remove the last counter on the board to win.
For a quick reminder, how do I control Nim?
Here is the relevant explanation: Use the on-screen controls with a mouse or touch.
On this playing page, what example helps explain Nim?
Here is the relevant explanation: 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?
Here is the relevant explanation: 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.
When I return, 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.