Play Dots and Boxes online
Dots and Boxes starts with a grid of dots and ends with a board full of claimed squares. You add one edge at a time, but closing a square earns another turn. I enjoy the change halfway through a game, when harmless-looking lines become chains of boxes that one player can collect.
How to play
- Open Dots and Boxes and choose solo, an online friend or same-phone play.
- Tap an empty edge, or drag between two neighbouring dots to draw a line.
- Take turns adding edges while watching which squares are nearly complete.
- Draw the fourth side of a box to claim it and take another turn.
- Continue until the boxes are claimed. The player with the most boxes wins.
Modes and a useful starting point
Available modes: solo play, online with a friend, versus play, same-phone play.
You can also move through edges with Tab and select one with Enter. A star identifies the last edge played, while filled boxes show the owner. Early on, avoid offering a third side without checking the consequences. Later, think about whole chains rather than one square: taking every available box immediately is not always the best way to keep control.
Free in your browser, with no sign-ups and no ads.