Is Nine Men's Morris free here?

Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.

Can two players play Nine Men's Morris on one phone?

Yes. In “Two players, one device” mode you take turns tapping on the same phone or tablet. The game runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers.

Can you fly with three stones?

Yes, flying is on by default, as is usual in Germany. If you prefer to play without it, turn it off in the settings; it then applies from the next game.

Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account along with your run, so you can carry on on any device.

Nine Men's Morris Online – vs the AI or Two Players

Play Nine Men's Morris online for free

Nine Men's Morris, known in German as Mühle, is one of the oldest board games in the world: two players place and move nine stones each on a board of three nested squares. Line up three of your own and you have a mill – and take one of your opponent's stones.

On PanicLines you play for free in your browser on phone, tablet and computer, with no download and no sign-up. Take on the AI at three levels or play with a friend on one device; most games take five to fifteen minutes.

Rules

The board has 24 points. Each player has nine stones, White starts. First you take turns placing all your stones on free points, then you move them along the lines to free neighbouring points.
Three of your stones on one line are a mill. Closing a mill lets you take one of your opponent's stones. Stones in a mill are safe as long as the opponent has other stones.
Flying: a player down to three stones may jump with a stone to any free point. This is the usual rule in Germany, and you can turn it off.
A player who is down to two stones or cannot move loses. If the same position occurs for the third time or nobody closes a mill for 50 moves, the game is a draw.

Modes and AI levels

Against the AI at three levels: Easy usually closes a mill but often overlooks threats, Medium looks two half-moves ahead, Hard looks six half-moves ahead and sets up double threats.
Against the AI you choose your colour: White, Black, or alternating from game to game.
Two players, one device: take turns tapping, White starts, and your run of wins and draws is counted.

Controls

Tap a free point to place a stone. To move, tap your stone first and then one of the marked targets.
After closing a mill, the opponent's stones you may take light up. Tapping your new stone again takes the move back.
The last move is marked and a freshly closed mill glows gold. On a computer you can also pick points with Tab and Enter; “Reduce motion” turns the animations off.

Tips and strategy

Take the crossings: the middle points of the middle square have four neighbours. Stones there stay mobile and can build mills in several directions.
Double threat: place a stone so that it prepares two mills at once. Your opponent can only stop one of them.
Running mill: two mills that share a neighbouring point are the strongest setup. Every move opens one and closes the other, taking a stone each time.
Don't rush into the corners: corner stones have only two neighbours and are easily trapped in the moving phase.
Stay mobile: if you only chase mills while placing, you often end up blocked afterwards. Keep free points next to your stones.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nine Men's Morris free here?: Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.
Can two players play Nine Men's Morris on one phone?: Yes. In “Two players, one device” mode you take turns tapping on the same phone or tablet. The game runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers.
Can you fly with three stones?: Yes, flying is on by default, as is usual in Germany. If you prefer to play without it, turn it off in the settings; it then applies from the next game.
Is my game saved?: Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account along with your run, so you can carry on on any device.