Game guide · SXLANJU
The essentials of playing Hex
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking.
Bring this focus to a round
After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
The purpose of your moves
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The playing sequence
- 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
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.
Try this 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 goal in mind before your next move.
Where a round can go wrong
Check the rule below as you play. Two touching corners are not a shared hexagon edge. A legal connection uses one of each cell’s six edge neighbours.
Common questions
For this game, what is the aim of Hex?
Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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.
For this game, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, what changes when I swap?
The players exchange colours and goals. The opening stone stays on the same cell. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. No download or player account is required.
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.