Dots and Boxes is a fun and simple classic pen-and-paper game for 2 or more players. The game starts with an empty grid of dots. The grid can be any size and Gametable's Dots and Boxes has a handful to choose from.
Usually a coin is flipped or Rock-Paper-Scissors is played to see who goes first, but in Gametable's Tabletop Dots and Boxes, Player 1 always starts first.
Players take turns connecting 2 unjoined horizontally or vertically adjacent dots. A player who completes the fourth side of a 1x1 box earns one point and must take another turn.
The game ends when all lines are drawn and boxes are claimed. The player with the most points wins. If more than one player has the same high score, the game is a tie.
Most novice players always claim a box if they can, but expert players take time to consider double crossing their opponent. A double cross is when you give a short chain of boxes to your opponent and then leave them with no choice but to create a long chain for you on the next turn. It is the key to winning!
Dots and Boxes has classically been played on paper using pencils. It was first described by a French mathematician, Édouard Lucas, in the 19th century. Mr. Lucas called it La Pipopipette.
Dots and Boxes has been known by many other names including the Dots Game, Boxes, Squares, Dot to Dot Grid, La Pipopipette, and our favorite- Pigs in a Pen!
Gametable is an upcoming interactive entertainment company for the desktop and mobile world. We currently have four free online games- hidoku, dots and boxes, checkers, and tic tac toe. We're actively developing more fun titles, so pull up a chair to the game table today! We value your privacy as much as you do! Please see our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Terms & Conditions. You may adjust your Privacy Settings or opt out of all non-essential cookies by clicking: Do Not Sell My Personal Information.