Dots and Boxes

Players take turns drawing a single horizontal or vertical line between two neighbouring dots. Whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it (it fills with their colour) and must draw another line. When every line is drawn, the player with the most boxes wins.

Controls

Tap or click the gap between two dots to draw a line — the whole diamond-shaped area around a gap is clickable, so it is easy on phones. Pick the grid size (3×3 up to 7×7 boxes), vs Computer (Easy, Medium, Hard) or 2 Players on one device.

Strategy tips

• Never draw the third side of a box unless you have to — your opponent will simply take it.
• Late in the game the board splits into chains of boxes. When you are forced to open one, open the shortest chain.
• Double-dealing: when taking a long chain, experts leave the last two boxes for the opponent (by drawing the far end line instead). The opponent takes the two boxes but must then open the next chain for you. The Hard computer knows this trick!