Gather

Nine Men’s Morris

The old board game with nine pieces each: place, then move, and finally fly. Close a mill and you take one of your opponent’s pieces – and a well-built double mill often decides the game.

  • 2 players
  • 10–20 min
  • ages 6+
  • works without a TV
  • vs. computer

Take your opponent's pieces until they have only two left – or can't move anymore.

How it works

  1. Everyone has 9 pieces. First you take turns placing one piece on an empty point.
  2. Then you move pieces along the lines to the next empty point.
  3. Three of your pieces in a line form a mill: you remove an opponent's piece – not from a mill, unless all of them are in mills.
  4. With only three pieces left, you may jump to any empty point.

Good to know

  • It's a draw after threefold repetition or 50 moves per side without a mill.
  • A double mill closes a mill with every move.

On the TV and on your phone

What you see and tap, where and when – step by step:

  1. Choose the game and your opponent
  2. Join and get ready
  3. Place your pieces
  4. Move and fly

How to play Nine Men’s Morris with Gather

What makes Nine Men’s Morris work

  • Three phases in one game keep it moving.
  • Easier to learn than chess, with real tactics.
  • Two players or against the computer, no TV needed.

Pick Nine Men’s Morris when two people want a calm strategy game that’s settled in about a quarter of an hour.

Skip it when you’re a bigger group or enjoy a bit of luck.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove a piece that’s part of a mill in Nine Men’s Morris?

Only if all of your opponent’s pieces are in mills. Otherwise you have to take a piece that isn’t part of a mill.

What happens if one move closes two mills at once?

You still remove just one piece. Some house rules allow two – Gather doesn’t.

When are you allowed to fly in Nine Men’s Morris?

As soon as you’re down to three pieces, you may jump to any empty point during the moving phase. Drop to two pieces and you’ve lost.

Can you lose Nine Men’s Morris while you still have pieces?

Yes. If it’s your turn and you can’t move any piece because they’re all blocked in, you lose.

When is Nine Men’s Morris a draw?

On threefold repetition of the same position, or after 50 moves per side without closing a mill.

Can I practise Nine Men’s Morris against the computer?

Yes, on iPhone, iPad or Mac, without a TV. The computer values mobility and likes to build double mills; Gather draws who starts.

Variants and house rules

Gather plays by the rules above. Anything you can set in the app is marked – the rest are agreements you make at the table.

Against the computer setting in Gather

On your own you play the computer and can practise the placing phase, where most games are decided. Choose the computer opponent when you start.

Rematch with the start swapped table agreement

Always play two games in a row so both of you get to place the first piece once. Only then do you check who’s ahead. Keep the score yourselves.

Winner stays on table agreement

Several people want a game: the winner plays the next challenger. Everyone gets a turn, and the strongest players play the most. Sort out the order at the table.

Good for

Nine Men’s Morris compared

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