Dots and Boxes 6x6, the board serious players love
Thirty-six boxes. An even number. That one detail changes the whole feel of the game.
Dots and Boxes 6x6 is played on a square of 49 dots that forms 36 boxes and takes 84 lines to complete. It's big enough for long chains to decide the result, and with an even box count a draw is possible. Most games take five to ten minutes against the computer.
Play the opening calmly
There are plenty of safe lines on a 6×6 board. Use them, and stay off every third side.
Count chains in the middle game
With 49 dots, first player needs an odd tally of long chains. Steer toward yours.
Use the double cross to keep control
Long chains pay off here. Take all but two, and make your opponent open the next one.
Why 36 boxes changes Dots and Boxes 6x6
On 3×3 or 5×5, someone always wins. On 6×6, 36 boxes can split 18 to 18, and between good players it sometimes does. That changes how you think at the end: a single box handed over early can be the gap between a win and a draw, so every sacrifice has to earn its keep.
The dot count flips as well. With 49 dots, an odd number, the long chain rule tells the first player to aim for an odd number of long chains, the opposite of the 5×5 default. If that's where you've been practicing, this habit needs turning around.
6x6 Dots and Boxes strategy: chains and control
Long chains form naturally on a board this size, often three or four of them, plus the occasional loop. That makes control valuable. Get the chain count right before the safe lines dry up, and the double cross does the rest, two boxes at a time.
Behind on the count? Open the shortest chains first and offer loops early, since holding control through a loop costs your opponent four boxes. It won't always rescue the game, but it keeps the score close.
Playing the 6x6 board here
The board opens on Medium against the computer. Switch to Hard or Expert for a club-level test, or to Pass & Play for up to four people on one screen. Your progress is kept in this browser, so a long match can wait until later, and there's nothing to download or sign up for.
Moments a 6x6 game turns on
- Tied at 16 with four boxes left
Tally what's left before you take a single box.
- Three long chains and a loop
If you're the one opening, offer the loop first.
- Your opponent turns down two boxes
They're keeping control. Plan for the chain you'll have to open next.
- Coming over from 5×5
Flip your target: with 49 dots, the first player wants an odd chain count.
- Club night practice
Play Expert, then look back at the moment the count slipped away.
- A long game, a short break
Close the tab; the board will be waiting when you come back.
6×6 questions
How many boxes are on a 6x6 board?
A 6x6 board has 36 boxes, built from a 7 by 7 square of 49 dots. Completing it takes 84 lines. That's a real step up from 5×5, with 11 more boxes and 24 more lines.
Can a 6x6 game end in a tie?
It can. With 36 boxes, two players can finish 18 to 18, and evenly matched players get there more often than you'd expect. If you'd rather always have a winner, play 5×5 or 7×7.
How long does a 6x6 game take?
Expect five to ten minutes against the computer, and a bit longer with three or four friends taking turns. The opening has lots of safe lines, so it moves quickly. The endgame is where everyone slows down.
Is 6x6 harder than 5x5?
It's longer and has more chains, so there's more to plan. The dot count also flips, which changes your long chain target. Most players find it more rewarding rather than simply harder.
Does the long chain rule matter more on 6x6?
It matters a lot, because 6×6 games usually end with several long chains on the board. Each extra chain you control is worth several boxes. Counting early, while you can still change the number, decides many games.
Can I change the board size during a game?
Changing the size starts a fresh game, so finish the current one first. Open Game settings to pick any width and height from 2 to 10. Until you start a new game, the current one stays saved on this page.