Edition: Classic Nine Men's Morris with 9 pieces each, called Mølle in Danish. Last checked October 25, 2026
Nine Men's Morris Rules: How to Play
Nine Men's Morris is an ancient two player board game where you try to get three pieces in a row. Each time you do, you get to remove one of your opponent's pieces. Here are the rules and answers to the questions that often spark debate.
- Players
- 2
- Age
- 6 and up
- Playing time
- 15 to 30 minutes
How to win: You win when your opponent has only two pieces left or cannot move any of their pieces.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Nine Men's Morris.
Can you fly when you have three pieces left?
Yes, in the classic version.
When a player is down to three pieces, they may move a piece to any empty point on the board. This gives the weaker player a chance to come back.
Some play without the flying rule. Then you move normally to the very end, and the game is decided faster.
Can you remove a piece that is in a mill?
Only if there are no others.
Pieces in a mill are protected. You may only remove one of them if all of your opponent's pieces are in mills.
Some families make pieces in mills completely safe. Others let every piece be fair game. Agree before you start.
Do you get to remove two pieces if one move forms two mills?
It depends on the version.
In the most common version you remove only one piece, even if a single move forms two mills.
Many families allow two pieces for a double mill. It is a common variant.
Can you open and close the same mill over and over?
Yes.
You may move a piece out of a mill and back again on a later turn. Each time the mill closes, it counts as a new mill.
Some families ban closing the same mill twice in a row, because it can feel unfair.
What you need
- A morris board with three squares inside each other and 24 points
- 9 light and 9 dark pieces
Setup
- 1The board starts empty.
- 2Each player holds their 9 pieces.
- 3Decide who goes first, often the player with the light pieces.
How to play
- 1Phase one: take turns placing one piece at a time on any empty point.
- 2When all 18 pieces are on the board, phase two begins.
- 3Phase two: take turns moving one piece along a line to an empty neighboring point.
- 4If you get three pieces in a row along a line, you have formed a mill.
- 5When you form a mill, remove one of your opponent's pieces from the board.
- 6You may not remove a piece that is part of a mill unless all of your opponent's pieces are in mills.
- 7You may open a mill by moving a piece out and close it again later. It then counts as a new mill.
- 8When a player is down to three pieces, they may fly: move a piece to any empty point on the board.
- 9The game ends when a player has two pieces left or cannot move.
The board
- The board has three squares inside each other, connected by lines at the middle of each side.
- There are 24 points where pieces can stand.
- A mill is three pieces on one straight line, either along a side of a square or along one of the connecting lines.
- Three pieces diagonally across the corners do not count as a mill.
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Nine Men's Morris rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you cannot move?
If a player cannot move any of their pieces in phase two, that player loses.
Why is it called Nine Men's Morris?
The name comes from each player having nine pieces, or men. There are also smaller versions, like Three and Six Men's Morris, with fewer pieces and a smaller board.
Can Nine Men's Morris end in a draw?
Yes. If neither player can make progress and both keep moving back and forth, you can agree on a draw.
Source: Common European and Danish tradition for Nine Men's Morris. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.