Question 1

Why did I get another turn?

Accepted Answer

Your line closed a box. Every time a line you draw is the fourth side of a box, you claim it and draw again, for as long as you keep closing boxes. The board says Go again when it happens.

Question 2

What if one line closes two boxes?

Accepted Answer

You claim both. It still counts as one move, so you get one more turn, not two.

Question 3

Do I have to take a box when I can?

Accepted Answer

No. You have to draw a line every turn, but it can be any line that isn't drawn yet.

Question 4

How do I play with a friend?

Accepted Answer

Choose Online room, create a room and send the five-character code or the link. No account is needed. The host picks the grid size and starts once both players are in. Rooms are deleted 24 hours after the last activity.

Question 5

What happens if someone leaves?

Accepted Answer

Leaving a game in progress ends it, and the player who stayed wins. A player whose connection drops shows as away and has five minutes to come back before that happens. If the host leaves, the other player becomes the host.

Question 6

Can we play on one device?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Local 2-player uses the same board and rules: take your turn, then pass the device.

Question 7

Can I play against the computer, or with more than two players?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. Dots and Boxes is for two people for now.

Question 8

What if I can't tell the two colors apart?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to. Player 1's boxes are blue with diagonal stripes and Player 2's are orange with dots, so the pattern alone tells you whose a box is.

Question 9

Is my record saved?

Accepted Answer

Your wins, losses and draws from online games are counted in your browser's localStorage. They never leave your device.