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Nim is a mathematical game of strategy for two players. Players take turns removing objects from distinct heaps. On each turn, a player must remove at least one object, and may remove any number of objects provided they all come from the same heap.

Popularity
Nim is an ancient Chinese game, now played throughout the world under various names, and with rule variations.

Location
Nim is a game played throughout the world, both indoors or outside.

Age
Nim is a game which can be played as a family game from as young as four or five years of age. It is a brain stretching game enjoyed by all ages.

Ability
The fundamentals of Nim can be learnt in a few minutes, the strategies and subtleties need a mathematical brain and experience. Experience which is best learnt by playing some one with greater experience than yourself.

Description
When Nim is played as a (normal play game), which means that the person who makes the last move (i.e., who takes the last object) wins. This is called normal play because most games follow this convention, even though the more normaly played Nim (misere) does not.

Playing tip,
In order to win always leave an even total number of 1's, 2's, and 4's.

Dedication
A normal play game may start with heaps of 3, 4 and 5 objects.

Illustration of play,

Sizes of heaps and Moves
A B C
3 4 5 I take 2 from A
1 4 5 You take 3 from C
1 4 2 I take 1 from B
1 3 2 You take 1 from B
1 2 2 I take entire A heap leaving two 2's.
0 2 2 You take 1 from B
0 1 2 I take 1 from C leaving two 1's.
0 1 1 You take 1 from B
0 0 1 I take entire C heap and win.

Closely Related Activities
Nim (misere) 887, Jianshizi 897, Picking Stones 898, 21 The Winner 878, 21 The Loser 879,

Cost
Although there are very expensive Nim sets to be found, the game can be played with no more than a heap of pebbles.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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