Dots and Boxes

What is Dots and Boxes?

Dots and Boxes is the pen-and-paper game played on squared notebooks: on a grid of dots players take turns drawing a line, and whoever closes a box wins it and plays again. It looks easy, but towards the end you have to be careful not to give away long chains of boxes. Play against the computer or with two players on the same screen.

How to play

• Take turns drawing a line between two neighbouring dots, horizontally or vertically.
• Whoever draws the fourth side of a box wins it and must play again.
• The grid has 25 boxes: when they're all closed, whoever has more wins.
• Against the computer: 10 points for each box of yours, plus 50 if you win.

Tips

• Don't draw the third side of a box: your opponent would close it.
• Towards the end count the chains of boxes: if you have to give one away, pick the shortest.
• Always take the boxes you're given, unless a long chain is about to come.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dots and Boxes free?

Yes: Dots and Boxes is free and you can play it right away in your browser, with nothing to download and no sign-up.

Can I play Dots and Boxes on my phone?

Yes: Dots and Boxes works on phones, tablets and computers, with your finger, the mouse or the keyboard.

Can two people play Dots and Boxes?

Yes: choose “2 players” at the start and take turns on the same screen.

How do you play Dots and Boxes?

Take turns drawing a line between two neighbouring dots, horizontally or vertically. Whoever draws the fourth side of a box wins it and must play again. The grid has 25 boxes: when they're all closed, whoever has more wins. Against the computer: 10 points for each box of yours, plus 50 if you win.

A MagnetoGames exclusive: designed and coded by us.