Take turns joining dots with lines, complete the fourth wall of a box to claim it and go again. Whoever owns the most boxes wins.
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How to play
Dots & Boxes is the timeless pencil-and-paper game played on a grid of dots. Players alternate drawing a single line between two adjacent dots. Whenever your line closes the fourth side of a box, you claim that box and immediately take another turn. When every line is drawn, the player who has captured the most boxes wins.
On your turn, draw one line between two neighbouring dots.
Complete a box and you claim it, then move again, chains of boxes can fall on a single turn.
If your line completes no box, play passes to your opponent.
The game ends when the grid is full; most boxes wins, and equal counts draw.
Game modes
Vs CPU: play the computer on Easy, Normal, or Hard, Hard plays the chains and sacrifices properly.
2-Player: pass-and-play on one device.
Online: create an invite, join with a code, or quick-match a remote opponent on a 3×3 board.
Choose a 3×3, 4×4, or 5×5 board for offline games.
Controls
Desktop: hover to preview a line, then click the empty edge between two dots to draw it.
Phone & tablet: tap the gap between two dots to draw that line.
Tips & strategy
Avoid drawing the third side of a box, that hands your opponent a free capture.
Learn the double-cross: declining the last two boxes of a chain forces your opponent to open the next one, swinging the endgame your way.
About Dots & Boxes
Dots & Boxes is a classic territory game first played with paper and pencil over a century ago. This is an original, free browser build with adjustable board sizes, three CPU levels, local two-player, and online matches. No download or sign-up required.
A free, original browser game on PlayPendium. No download, no install.
