Game guide · NEW61
The essentials of playing Hex
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. 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.
Build familiarity through play
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.
The goal to keep in mind
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
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.
How to use the controls
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A useful example
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A mistake to avoid
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. No download or player account is required.
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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. No download or player account is required.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
On this page, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, what changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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.
