Dots and Boxes is a simple yet strategic game for two players.
The game is played on a grid of dots. The standard size is often 4x4 dots (creating a 3x3 grid of boxes), but any size can be used.
- Players flip a coin or agree on who goes first.
- In each turn, a player draws a single straight line connecting two horizontally or vertically adjacent dots.
- Diagonal lines are NOT allowed.
- Players alternate turns.
- If a player draws a line that completes a 1x1 square (box), they "capture" that box.
- The player marks the box with their initial or color.
- IMPORTANT: When a player completes a box, they MUST take another turn immediately.
- A player can complete multiple boxes in a single turn if their lines continue to close boxes.
- If the extra turn does not close a box, play passes to the other player.
The game ends when all possible lines have been drawn and all boxes have been claimed. The player with the most boxes wins.