A double-sided optical disc, such as a DVD-18 disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed normally from the respective sides. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while the data is being read. The player determines whether a newly inserted disc is oriented properly and, if necessary, the direction of the disc rotation is reversed.