Strategy · two players

Dots and Boxes

Draw one line at a time between two dots. Close the fourth side of a box to claim it and draw again. Whoever has the most boxes when the grid is full takes the game.

Board

Opponent

Level

First line

Boxes: 0 / 25
Lines left: 60
Moves: 0

How to play

Tap or click between two neighbouring dots to draw a line. Players alternate, one line per turn.

Completing the fourth side of a box claims it and gives you another line straight away. Avoid drawing the third side of a box unless you have to: it hands that box to your opponent.

Late in the game every line opens a chain of boxes. The player who can afford to give a short chain away, and keep the long ones, usually ends up ahead.