Dots and Boxes

Dots and Boxes is a classic game for two that you can play on any sheet of squared paper. Take turns drawing lines between dots, close a box to score it, and try to finish with the most boxes. It takes a minute to learn and a lot longer to master. Play it here in your browser.

How to play

1. The board. A grid of dots. On the default 4×4 board the dots form four rows and four columns of boxes (5×5 dots, 40 possible lines). You can also choose 3×3 or 6×6.
2. Your turn. Draw one line between two neighbouring dots, either across or up and down. A line that is already drawn cannot be drawn again.
3. Close a box. The player who draws the fourth side of a box claims it, scores one point and gets an extra turn: they must draw another line. If you close a box, you keep going until a line closes nothing.
4. Two at once. One line can be the last side of two neighbouring boxes. You score both and still get just one extra turn.
5. No passing. If your line closes no box, play moves to the other player. You always have to draw a line when it is your turn.
6. The end. When the last line is drawn, count the boxes. More boxes wins. Equal scores are a draw (this can happen on boards with an even number of boxes, like 4×4).

On this page, Player 1 is the teal circle and Player 2 is the mustard cross, and a claimed box shows both the colour and the shape. You choose who starts.

Play modes

• Against the computer with three levels: Easy, Medium and Hard.
• Two players on one device: pass the phone or share the screen.

A game on the 4×4 board usually takes three to six minutes.

Tips and strategy

• Don’t draw the third side of a box. If a box has three sides, your opponent will take it and probably keep going. Early in the game, draw lines that leave every box with at most two sides.
• Count the safe lines. Sooner or later every remaining line gives something away. The player who runs out of safe lines first has to open the board for the other.
• Learn to see chains. A chain is a row of boxes that can be claimed one after another, once the first one is opened. A short chain of one or two boxes is cheap to give away; a long chain is a big prize. Much of the game is about forcing your opponent to open the long chains.
• Think about sacrificing. Sometimes giving away two boxes is worth it if it makes your opponent open a long chain next. Count before you decide.
• When you take a chain, you don’t have to take all of it. Taking all the boxes means you must then draw another line, which may open the next chain for your opponent. Leaving the last two boxes with one clever line forces your opponent to take them and move first in the next area. This is how strong players win close games.
• Start with 3×3 to learn the rhythm, then try 4×4 and 6×6, where chains decide the game.

Frequently asked questions

Who goes first?

In Analog Play you decide at the start of each game: you, the computer, or (with two players) whoever takes the first seat.

Is a draw possible?

Yes, if the board has an even number of boxes (for example 4×4 has 16 boxes) and both players claim the same number. On 3×3 there are nine boxes, so there is always a winner.

Can I play Dots and Boxes against the computer?

Yes. Choose “Computer” as your opponent and pick Easy, Medium or Hard. You can also play two players on one device.

What are other names for Dots and Boxes?

You may know it as Boxes, Dots or Pigs in a Pen. It is an old game: the French mathematician Édouard Lucas wrote about it in the 19th century under the name “la pipopipette”.

Do I need paper and a pencil?

No. Everything is on the screen. If you like, you can also draw the same board on squared paper and play with a pencil.

Is it free?

Yes. You can play in your browser for free, with no sign-up.

Get it on Google Play

The Android app is coming soon.