Dots and Boxes is the pencil-and-paper classic. Take turns joining two neighbouring dots; close the fourth side of a box to claim it and draw again. Early on everyone avoids drawing a third side, but the lines run out — then whoever controls the long chains wins. Learn to sacrifice short chains and keep control with the double-cross. Play the computer on three levels or a friend, on 3 × 3, 4 × 4 or 5 × 5 boards.
How to play Dots and Boxes
Goal: Claim more boxes than your opponent.
Keyboard & mouse
- Click between two dots to draw a line
- Arrow keys move between lines, Enter or Space draws
- P or Escape to pause
Phone & tablet
- Tap between two neighbouring dots to draw a line
- Options: computer level, friend mode and board size
Rules
- Players take turns drawing one line between two neighbouring dots.
- Draw the fourth side of a box to claim it — then you must draw another line.
- One line can close two boxes at once.
- When every line is drawn, the player with more boxes wins.
- Against the computer, wins score 100 + 10 per box of margin, multiplied by the level.
Tips and strategy
- Avoid drawing the third side of a box — your opponent will take it.
- When only risky lines are left, give away the shortest chain you can.
- Taking every box in a chain can be a mistake: decline the last two (the “double-cross”) and your opponent must open the next long chain.
- Give away a two-box chain by drawing its middle line, so it cannot be double-crossed back.
