How to Win at the Dot Game

Download Article

Co-authored by Triple S Games

Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Download Article

Definitions

|

The Chain Rule

|

Taking Every Chain

|

Advanced

|

Mirroring

|

Exceptions

|

Q&A

The Dot Game, or Dots and Boxes, is a popular pen and pencil game that is now available online. To win the game, it is necessary to control the gameplay as early as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Definitions

Download Article

1
Learn the main definitions about this game.
- Chain: A chain is any string of 3 or more boxes that begins in one place and ends in another. A chain counts as "1".^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
  - This is the dependent chain of the game.
- Non-chain: A non-chain is any single or double box. A non-chain counts as "0".^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
  - This is the independent chain of the game.
- Loop: A loop is any string of 4 or more boxes that begins and ends in the same place. A loop counts as "2".^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
  - Y-Chain: See below for the value of a Y-Chain.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

The Chain Rule

Download Article

1
Control the game,^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Player 1 should aim to have an even number chain count
- Player 2 should aim to have an odd number chain count
- Play this on any odd (or non-square odd-by-even) board size (such as those found in the Dot Game (3x3, 5x5, 7x7). For games with an even number of boxes on each side, like 4x4, this rule is reversed.
- Exception to this rule - in 3x3, a "0" chain count benefits Player 2
Player 1 has managed to create 2 chains and has forced Player 2 to hand him the smallest chain.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Taking Every Chain

Download Article

You must be able to take every chain that is made. When your opponent gives you the first chain, take every box except the last two. Sacrifice these two by placing your line at the end of the two boxes, leaving space for a line in between one box and the other. This is known as the Double Cross.^{[5]
X
Research source}
'Leave four boxes if your opponent plays within a loop, and play so that there is a space between two boxes on either side of your last line. By sacrificing the last 2 boxes of a chain or the last 4 boxes of a loop, you are guaranteed to obtain every single chain in the game.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Advanced

Download Article

Exceptions

1
Look at some exceptions.
- In 3x3, there are 9 boxes - you need 5 to win
- In 5x5, there are 25 boxes - you need 13 to win
- In 7x7, there are 49 boxes - you need 25 to win
  - Because you must sacrifice boxes to obtain all the chains in the game, it is sometimes possible for your opponent to make a bunch of boxes.
2
as you might sacrifice too many and lose the game. Since you are sacrificing all except the last chain, you know that you will be giving your opponent 2 boxes for every "1" in the chain count (except for the last chain)
- So mathematically: 2 * (chain count - 1) = number of boxes sacrificed

Non-Chains

1
Let's call the person who is going to get all the chains the 'leader' and the other person the 'follower'. Since the leader is going to get the chains, the follower will get the last non-chain. In some cases, the follower also gets the first non-chain.
- When you are the leader, you wish to avoid having non-chains as this may contribute to your opponent's score and allow them to win. When you are the follower, create as many as these as possible to allow for a closer game.

Altering the Count

1
. Since loops are "2" and chains are "1", turning a chain into a loop or a loop into a chain causes the count to change by "1".
- This makes an even number odd, or an odd number even. If you are a follower, try to alter the count by converting a loop into a chain or a chain into a loop. If you are the leader, try to prevent the follower from doing this to you.

Mistakes

1
Use a mistake to your advantage. Everyone makes mistakes; sometimes you can use this to your advantage. If you are a follower, you can sometimes take the opportunity to give a chain away early.
- If your opponent forgets to sacrifice the two boxes at the end, the count will drop by 1, which can sometimes result in victory if your sacrifice did not give away too many boxes. To avoid excessive sacrifices, pick the smallest chains to sacrifice.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Triple S Games
  Game Experts
  
  Expert Interview}

Y-Chains

1
Watch out for Y-chains. Y-Chains are complicated, as there is more than one branch that can be considered a chain. When you get a chain that branches off in multiple directions, first look at the splitting point. Count "1" for the base and one of the branches, count another "1" for each additional branch.
- Most Y-Chain will count as "2" since there will be one base and one branch with one additional branch. It is very important that you only consider chains within a Y-Chain. non-Chains can sometimes branch off of a chain, but this is not a Y-Chain.
- Y-Chains are when a long chain has a small chain branching off of it. Sometimes more than one. Sometimes, if there is more than one branch, consider the possibility that the Y-Chain can be broken in the middle, making only 2 regular chains. Without considering this possibility, you might think the Y-Chain is worth "3" since it has 2 branches. But if it is broken in the middle, leaving only 2 chains, then it is worth "2".

Y-Loops

1
Watch for Y-loops. Y-Loops are similar to Y-Chains, but instead of multiple chain branches, Y-Loops have branches that loop. This makes counting the final score early troublesome. A loop and a chain suggest a count of "3," but depending on where the follower places the line, you might need to sacrifice, or you might be able to take it all.
- When you encounter a Y-Loop, the loop is always the base and branch, which counts as "2" followed by the count of the chains that branch off of it.
- Similar to the Y-Chain, if 2 or more chains are branching off of it, there is a possibility of cutting the Y-Loop by sacrificing 1 or 2 boxes within the loop and creating one large chain. This would reduce a Y-Loop with a value of "4" to a chain with a value of "1," which can drastically change the final score.
^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Triple S Games
Game Experts

Expert Interview} If you are facing a Y-Loop, always sacrifice the branch chain first, then the loop. This way, you get 2 boxes for the chain, and if there are other chains on the board, you might get 4 boxes for the loop if your opponent sacrifices them.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Mirroring

Download Article

Since the mirror trick makes things even, it favors Player 1. Since player 2 is second to play, Player 1 must find a way to become 'Player 2' in terms of being able to copy moves.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Triple S Games
Game Experts

Expert Interview} Although many people try to create a mirror top-bottom and left-right, most do it wrong by only mirroring either the top-bottom or the left-right. A true mirror reflects top-bottom and left-right at the same time.

3x3 Boards

3x3's are so small that they tend to change some rules. While mirrors will tend to favor Player 1, if Player 1 only plays either vertical or horizontal lines, Player 2 can win a mirror game with Player 1 by creating 3 chains that are all vertical or horizontal. If Player 1 notices that he is being copied, he can create a loop around the center box, which will favor Player 1 instead of Player 2.

All boards

As many may have found out before, the way to change the turn in favor of Player 1 for mirror tricks is to give away the center box so that Player 2 is effectively playing ahead of Player 1, allowing him to copy. While most might think this automatically spells doom for Player 2 if they let it happen, it does not. There are two strategies against this:
If they seem to be forcing you to take it, make sure there are uncopied lines somewhere else on the board. Also, try to circle the center block, incorporating it into a waving chain that counts as "1" so that if they mirror you the rest of the way, the count will remain odd.
Since you are already 1 box ahead, if you share all the remaining boxes evenly, you will win. So eventually Player 1 will see that copying you will cause them to lose and they will stop.

Sportsmanship

Against someone who isn't used to the mirror trick, the mirror trick tends to require almost no skill at all. Thus, when you play people with it, you might get some extremely negative responses from people who like to appreciate skillful play.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Exceptions

Download Article

In a 3x3 game with exactly 1 non-chain, 1 chain, and 1 loop, then player 1 wins (despite the count being odd). This could be because this is such a small situation, so the usual sacrificing tactics simply give away too much. For example, look at a 3x3 board with a chain of 3 boxes at the top, a loop of 4 boxes in the bottom right, and a non-chain of 2 boxes on the bottom left.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I count the number of dots and boxes that have been created?

Community Answer

You could keep a set of tally marks in a scoring area on the paper's side after every time you initial a box. You can add colors to denote between the players on the box's sides. You could also number the boxes, where you add up the number of boxes as they are completed, and label that number inside the box that was completed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What is the difference between dependent and independent chains?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

The distinction between dependent and independent chains lies in how boxes are formed. Dependent chains involve creating boxes connected to other existing boxes, effectively extending a chain. Independent chains, in contrast, are formed when a line creates a box that is not directly connected to an existing chain of boxes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0