1. Objective
Claim more boxes than your opponent by completing the fourth side of boxes before the grid is exhausted.
Dots & Boxes Rules
Detailed rules and gameplay guidance for Dots & Boxes.
2. Taking turns
Players alternate drawing one horizontal or vertical line between two adjacent dots. A line can be drawn only once and cannot cross the board’s existing dot-to-dot edges.
3. Completing a box
When your line creates the fourth side of one or more boxes, you claim each completed box. Claimed boxes are marked with your colour.
4. Extra turns
Completing at least one box gives you another turn immediately. A single line can complete two boxes, so a good move may create a chain of extra turns.
5. Setting traps
Early lines can create safe or dangerous positions. Avoid giving your opponent a forced run of boxes unless the resulting score still favours you.
6. End of the game
The game ends when every box has been claimed. The player with the most boxes wins; equal scores are recorded as a draw.