Dots and Boxes

Take turns drawing a line between two dots. Whoever closes the fourth side of a box claims it and plays again. Claim the most boxes.

Difficulty
High score
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Tap the gap between two neighbouring dots to draw a line. When your line completes the fourth side of a box, the box is yours and you move again. The game ends when every box is claimed; the most boxes win. Easy is a 3×3 grid, Standard 4×4 and Hard 5×5. The computer gets smarter with each level.

How to play
  1. Tap a gap between two dots to draw a line.
  2. Close the fourth side of a box to claim it and move again.
  3. Claim more boxes than the computer.
Tips and tricks

A few ideas that make Dots and Boxes easier and more fun:

  • Avoid drawing the third side of a box. It hands the next player a free box.
  • Take free boxes, but sometimes leave the last two of a chain to keep control.
  • Near the end, count. The player who must open the long chains usually loses them.
About Dots and Boxes

Play Dots and Boxes online

Dots and boxes is a pencil-and-paper game played on squared paper by generations of pupils. Its simple rules hide surprisingly deep strategy.

Why it works

You avoid handing over a third side and plan who must open the chains. The task uses planning, counting and foresight.

These are the skills used during play; improvement outside the game is not established.