Game guide · LYFPL
An introduction to playing Hex
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
7×7 Hex with optional opening swap, basic local computer strategy and same-device two-player mode. Not internet matchmaking.
One thing to notice as you play
After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone.
Your objective
Take a moment to check the current turn. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Start here and follow along
- 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 interact with the game
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.
Try this 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.
Where a round can go wrong
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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
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.
When I start, 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.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. No download or player account is required.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
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.
When I start, can I play with another person?
Yes, by selecting two players on this device. There is no online room or remote opponent. The controls work with mouse or touch.