Dots & Boxes
Take turns drawing lines between dots and close as many boxes as you can. 2–4 players
How to play Dots & Boxes
Goal
Close more boxes than everyone else. Play with 2 to 4 players.
Step by step
- Pick a board size: small, medium or large.
- On your turn, draw one line between two dots next to each other.
- If your line closes the fourth side of a box, the box is yours and you draw again.
- One line can close two boxes at once. You still just get one extra line.
- If you don't close a box, the next player takes over. The game ends when every box is closed.
How to win
The player with the most boxes wins. If several players tie for the most, they share the win.
Tips
- Avoid drawing the third side of a box – the next player just closes it.
- Late in the game, give away the shortest row of boxes you can.