Game guide · 400286
An introduction to playing Hex
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. 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.
A focus for your next round
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
Understand the aim
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.
Choosing and moving on screen
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
A useful example
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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 goal in mind before your next move.
Watch out for this
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.
Common questions
During a round, what is the aim of Hex?
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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.
On this page, 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. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
What changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, 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.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.