Game guide · DTJSMODEL
Rules, controls and help for Hex
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right.
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking.
Something to practise
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Aim for this result
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The order of play
- Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right.
- Place one stone in an empty cell. Once placed, stones stay fixed.
- After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone.
- The first connected path across the assigned edges wins. Select computer play or two players on one device before a round.
Using the playing area
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
An example to follow
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. A blue chain joining the top and bottom edges wins even if it bends across the board. Cells sharing only a point are not neighbours.
A useful caution
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Read these answers for extra help
When I start, what is the aim of Hex?
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, how do the controls work?
Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, can you show an example?
A blue chain joining the top and bottom edges wins even if it bends across the board. Cells sharing only a point are not neighbours. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Which mistake should I avoid?
Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours. The instructions above use these same rules.
What rules and limits are used here?
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, what changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, can I play with another person?
Yes, by selecting two players on this device. There is no online room or remote opponent. You can start a new round from the game controls.