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Your move.

Level 1
HopsEasy9 to place
You9 to place

Place your 9 pieces, then slide them along the lines. Three in a row is a mill: remove one of the other side's pieces. Down to 3, you may fly.

Nine Men's Morris game cover

Nine Men's Morris

Board · Make three in a row to take a piece. Leave Hops with two.

Play Nine Men's Morris free online, one of the oldest board games in the world. Place your nine pieces, slide them along the lines and line up three in a row to make a mill and take one of Hops' pieces. Play Hops at Easy, Medium or Hard, a friend on the same device, or someone online.

How to play

  1. The board has 24 points on three nested squares joined by four lines. You play White and move first; each side has 9 pieces.
  2. First, take turns placing one piece on any empty point until all 18 are on the board.
  3. Then take turns sliding one of your pieces along a line to the next empty point.
  4. Three of your pieces in a row along a line make a mill: tap one of the other side's pieces to take it off. Pieces in a mill are safe unless every piece is in one.
  5. When a side is down to three pieces it may fly to any empty point (switch it off with No flying). You win when the other side has only two pieces left or cannot move.

Tips to win

  • During placing, take the points where lines cross (the middles of the sides): they connect to four neighbours, corners only to two.
  • Don't rush to make a mill while placing. A piece that blocks Hops' two-in-a-row is often worth more.
  • Build a double mill: a piece that can slide back and forth between two mills takes a piece every move.
  • Keep your pieces able to move. A player with no legal move loses, even with plenty of pieces left.
  • Stuck? Tap Teach me: Hops shows a good move and explains why, such as blocking a mill or opening one for next turn.

Guides

Questions

How do you win Nine Men's Morris?

Leave the other side with only two pieces, or with no legal move. Each mill you close takes one of their pieces.

What is a mill?

Three pieces of the same colour in a row along one line. When you close a mill you take one of the other side's pieces, but not one that sits in a mill unless all of them do.

What is flying?

When a side has only three pieces left, they may move a piece to any empty point instead of along a line. Switch on No flying under the game to play without it.

Can a game be a draw?

Yes. A position that repeats three times, or 50 moves in a row without a mill, is a draw.

Can I play Nine Men's Morris with a friend?

Yes. Choose 2 players to play on one phone or computer, or Online to send a link to a friend.