Dots and Boxes
The classic pencil-and-paper duel, ready to play on any screen. Take turns joining neighbouring dots; whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it and goes again.
How to play Dots and Boxes
- The board starts as a grid of dots. On your turn, draw one line between two dots that sit next to each other, across or down.
- If your line completes the fourth side of a box (or two boxes at once), you claim them and must draw another line.
- If your line doesn’t complete a box, the turn passes to the other player.
- When every line has been drawn, the player who owns the most boxes wins. Boards with an odd number of boxes can’t end in a tie.
- Choose a board from 3×3 to 7×7 boxes and play the computer (Easy, Medium or Hard) or a friend on the same device.
Controls
- Tap or click between two dots to draw a line there.
- Keyboard: arrow keys move the highlighted line, Space or R switches between across and down, Enter draws it.
Tips
- Early on, avoid drawing the third side of any box — that just hands your opponent a free box.
- Late in the game, the board splits into chains of boxes. Whoever is forced to open the first long chain usually loses, so count the chains before the safe moves run out.
- The pro trick: when taking a long chain, stop two boxes short and draw the line at the far end. Your opponent gets those two boxes but then has to open the next chain for you.
FAQ
How do you play dots and boxes?
Players take turns drawing one line between two neighbouring dots. Whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it and must draw another line. When every line is drawn, the player with more boxes wins.
Why did the computer leave two boxes for me?
That is a deliberate sacrifice, sometimes called a double-cross. On Hard, the computer gives away two boxes at the end of a chain so that you must open the next, bigger chain for it.
Do I have to take a box when I can?
No — taking boxes is optional. Sometimes declining the last boxes of a chain is the stronger play.
Which board size should I start with?
A 3×3 or 4×4 board plays in a couple of minutes and is a good way to learn chains. Larger boards are longer and more strategic.