Connect the Dots
Classic pen-and-paper dots and boxes for 2–4 players.
Overview
Players take turns drawing a line between two adjacent dots on a grid. Completing the fourth side of a square (a “box”) claims that box, scores a point, and grants another turn. When every line has been drawn, the player with the most boxes wins. Ties are possible.
Setup
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A rectangular lattice of dots (this package uses a 5×5 grid of dots, forming 16 boxes).
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No pieces start on the board — every line begins unclaimed.
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The first player alternates between games: Red (Player 1) draws the first line of the first game, Blue (Player 2) the next, and so on, moving to the next seat with more players.
Turn structure
1.
Choose any unclaimed line between two neighboring dots (horizontal or vertical — no diagonals).
2.
Claim that line in your color.
3.
If that claim completes one or two boxes:
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You immediately take another turn.
4.
Otherwise, play passes to the next player.
Completing boxes
A box is complete when all four of its sides are claimed (by any mix of players). The player who draws the last side of a box owns it. Drawing a single line can close two boxes at once — both count for you, and you still get only one extra turn.
Winning
When the last remaining line is claimed, compare box totals:
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Equal highest totals are a draw.
Variants
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Mini (connect-the-dots-mini): 4×4 dots (9 boxes) — a shorter game.
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Large (connect-the-dots-large): 6×6 dots (25 boxes) — a longer game.
Tips
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Avoid leaving a box with three sides claimed for your opponent unless you can force a better chain of your own.
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Late-game “chains” of double-box moves decide most matches.