How to play Dots and Boxes
Draw lines between dots. Close a box to claim it and go again. Most boxes wins.
The rules, step by step
- The board is a grid of dots. Choose a small, medium or large board, and who goes first.
- On your turn, tap the gap between two neighbouring dots to draw a line.
- If your line completes the fourth side of a box, the box is yours and you draw another line straight away.
- The computer takes its turn in the same way, with its boxes shown in blue.
- When every box has been claimed, the player with more boxes wins.
- Press Hint to see a good line to draw.
An example
A box already has two sides drawn. If you draw a third side, the computer can draw the fourth, claim the box and move again. Draw somewhere else if you can.
Tips
- Never draw the third side of a box if you can avoid it.
- Always take a box when one is offered, unless a bigger prize is waiting.
- Near the end, every line gives something away. Give away the smallest group of boxes.