How do you play Dots and Boxes?
Players take turns drawing one line between two neighbouring dots. Whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it and must take another turn. When every line is drawn, the player with the most boxes wins. The key strategy is to avoid drawing the third side of a box, because that hands your opponent the box, and later to make the other player open the long chains.
Dots and Boxes rules
- Lines join two horizontally or vertically adjacent dots.
- Completing a box scores it and gives you another move.
- The game ends when every line is drawn.
- Boards from 3×3 to 5×5 boxes.
Tips and strategy
- Early on, never draw the third side of a box if you have another choice.
- Late in the game the board breaks into chains. Count them: you want your opponent to be the one who has to open each chain.
- The double-cross: when taking a long chain, leave the last two boxes for your opponent so they have to open the next chain.
A short history of Dots and Boxes
Dots and Boxes was first published in 1889 by the French mathematician Édouard Lucas, who called it la pipopipette. It is still a staple of school notebooks and a well-studied game in combinatorial game theory.
Dots and Boxes questions
What is the best strategy in Dots and Boxes?
Avoid giving away third sides early, then control the chains. Near the end, sacrifice the last two boxes of a long chain (the double-cross) so your opponent must open the next chain for you.
Can two people play Dots and Boxes on one device?
Yes. Switch on two-player mode and pass the phone or tablet back and forth; the board shows whose turn it is and each player's score.
Is Dots and Boxes free to play?
Yes. Dots and Boxes on PuzzlePage is free in any browser on a phone, tablet or computer, with no download and no sign-up. Your streaks and best times are kept on your device. The page shows a few ads, which never cover the game, and the Player Club removes them.
Can I put Dots and Boxes on my own website?
Yes. Sign up free with your email at puzzlepage.app/embed, click the link we send, and copy the embed code. The game runs inside your page, restyled to your colors, with a small PuzzlePage credit.
Put Dots and Boxes on your website
Teachers, bloggers and activity coordinators can add Dots and Boxes to their own page for free. Sign up with your email on the embed page, click the link we send you, and copy the code. It matches your site's colors and keeps a small PuzzlePage credit.
More classic games
Dots and Boxes on PuzzlePage is an original implementation of a traditional game, with its own design. It is not affiliated with any operating system or software publisher.