How to Play Dots and Boxes
Default board is 5×5 boxes (6×6 dots). Blue moves first. Take turns claiming an empty edge; close a box to score it and move again. Most boxes wins; equal counts are a draw. Pick an AI level and a colour, then start.
What Dots and Boxes Is
Dots and Boxes is a pencil-and-paper classic: players draw edges on a grid of dots, and whoever claims more boxes wins. Each turn is simply choosing one unused edge—not moving pieces around the board.
What decides a game is tempo: when to leave a third side for the opponent, and when to take a long chain yourself. Closing a box grants an extra turn, so chain captures are common once the board fills.
It looks like connecting dots on paper. In practice it is about parity and control—avoid giving away the third side, and decide who opens the long chains. The rules page covers the fine print; if you want the feel of the game, start with the AI board above.
Dots, Edges, and Boxes
The board is a 6×6 array of dots that forms 5×5 boxes. Tap any unused edge between two dots. Blue opens; when you close a box it is yours, and you immediately draw another edge.
Claim a Box, Move Again
Fill all four sides of a square and that box is yours—plus another turn. Linked boxes often fall in a chain, but if you hand the opponent a third side too early, they may take the whole run.
Hints Follow Your AI Level
Choose from multiple AI levels, then play as Blue to open or Red to reply. Hints use the same level, and undo rewinds both your edge and the AI response. After the game, replay the turn when a third side was gifted or a long chain was missed. All AI calculation stays in your browser.
5×5boxes by default
Extraturn after a claim
Blue / RedBlue moves first
Drawswhen box counts tie
