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Dots and Boxes
Quick controls
- Click / tap between two dots
- Draw a line
- Arrow keys
- Move between lines
- Enter / Space
- Draw the selected line
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How to play Dots and Boxes
Dots and Boxes is a classic pencil-and-paper game for two players. Starting with a grid of dots, players take turns drawing a line between two neighbouring dots. Whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it and must draw another line straight away.
When every box is claimed, the player with the most boxes wins. Choose a 3 x 3, 5 x 5 or 7 x 7 board, play the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard, or choose A friend to take turns on one device.
- Players 1 or 2
- Mode Against the computer, or two players on one device
- Plays on Phone, tablet and desktop
Dots and Boxes rules
- Players take turns drawing one horizontal or vertical line between two neighbouring dots.
- Drawing the fourth side of a box claims it, and you draw another line. One line can close two boxes at once.
- A line that closes no box ends your turn.
- The game ends when every box is claimed. The most boxes wins, and equal boxes is a tie.
- Blue always draws first.
Controls
- Click / tap between two dots
- Draw a line
- Left / Right
- Move along a row of lines
- Up / Down
- Move between rows of lines
- Enter / Space
- Draw the selected line
- N
- Start a new game
Dots and Boxes questions
What is the best strategy in Dots and Boxes?
Avoid drawing the third side of a box, since that hands it over. Late in the game the board splits into chains, and the player who controls who must open them wins: take all but the last two boxes of a chain and leave them with one line, so your opponent has to open the next chain.
Can I play Dots and Boxes with two players?
Yes. Set Opponent to A friend and take turns on the same device. Each player's lines and boxes have their own colour.
How good is the computer on Hard?
Hard plays the chain endgame properly. It double-deals to keep control, fights over which chains will be opened, and searches the last part of the game exactly. Easy only takes free boxes, and Medium also avoids giving boxes away.
Look at both boxes beside a line
Adding a third side may give your opponent a capture and another turn. A chain can pass that opportunity along several boxes. Count the full chain before opening it.