Game guide · GCROWNSPA
Rules, controls and help for Hex
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking.
A focus for your next round
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
What counts as success
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
The controls to know
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A useful example
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Check this before moving on
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.
A few questions answered
During a round, what is the aim of Hex?
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. The instructions above use these same rules.
How do the controls work?
Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, what changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
Can I play with another person?
Yes, by selecting two players on this device. There is no online room or remote opponent. No download or player account is required.