Dots & Boxes
The classic pencil-and-paper game. Take turns drawing a line between two dots. Complete the fourth side of a box to claim it and take another turn. When the grid is full, whoever owns more boxes wins. Play two-player local or against the computer.
Dots & Boxes is the timeless pencil-and-paper game brought to your screen. On a grid of dots, two players take turns drawing single lines, each trying to be the one who completes little squares. It looks innocent, but underneath is a game of real tactical depth — the endgame, in particular, hinges on who's forced to give boxes away first.
How to play
Tap or click an empty edge between two adjacent dots to draw a line. When your line completes the fourth side of a square, that box becomes yours, filled with your color, and you immediately take another turn. When every box on the grid is filled, whoever owns the most wins. You can play two-player locally or against the computer, on a 3×3, 4×4, or 5×5 board.
Tips
- Avoid drawing the third side of a box — it hands your rival a free box on their next move.
- When you're forced to give something away, open the shortest chain to lose the fewest boxes.
- Late in the game, maneuver so your opponent is the one who must open a long chain for you.
- Think ahead about chains, not just the box right in front of you.
For more head-to-head board play, drop discs in Four in a Row or flip your way to a majority in Reversi.
Objective
Take turns drawing a line between two adjacent dots. When you draw the fourth side of a square, that box becomes yours (filled with your color and number) and you take ANOTHER turn. When every box is filled, the player who owns the most boxes wins.
Controls
- Tap or click an empty edge between two dots to draw it
- Completing a box earns an extra turn — link runs of boxes into chains
- Pick 2 Players or vs Computer, and a board size of 3×3 / 4×4 / 5×5
Tips
- Avoid drawing the third side of a box — it hands that box to your rival
- When you must give something away, give the shortest chain
- Late game, force your rival to open a long chain for you