How many stones does each player have in Mill?

Each player starts with nine stones. First place them on empty points, then move them along connected lines and remove an opponent's stone whenever you close a mill.

When can you fly in Nine Men's Morris?

When you have only three stones left, a stone may jump to any empty point instead of moving only to an adjacent point.

Mill

Rules · Mill

How to play

Place nine stones, line up mills, and reduce your opponent until they can no longer move.

Place your stones

In the setting phase you each place your nine stones, one per turn, on any empty point of the board.

Slide along the lines

Once every stone is placed, move one stone per turn to a connected empty point right next to it.

Form a mill, take a stone

Line up three of your stones on a marked line to close a mill, then remove one of your opponent's stones.

The three phases

Setting: Placing all nine stones. Building an early mill — or blocking your opponent's — sets the tone for the match.
Moving: Shuffle stones between neighbouring points. Opening and re-closing a mill each turn is a powerful engine.
Flying: Down to your last three stones, you may jump to any empty point instead of only to a neighbour.
Removing: You may not take a stone that sits inside a mill unless every one of your opponent's stones is in one.

A little strategy

Build a swinging mill. Two mills that share a stone let you open and close one every move, taking a stone each time.
Own the crossings. Points with four connections give your stones the most ways to move — and the most ways to threaten.
Block before you build. Stopping your opponent's mill is often worth more than rushing your own.

Each move has a 60 second timer — if it runs out, the game is forfeited.

Frequently asked questions

How many stones does each player have in Mill?: Each player starts with nine stones. First place them on empty points, then move them along connected lines and remove an opponent's stone whenever you close a mill.
When can you fly in Nine Men's Morris?: When you have only three stones left, a stone may jump to any empty point instead of moving only to an adjacent point.

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