Skip to content
VISITPHONE

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play Hex

Play Hex ↗

Game guide · VISITPHONE

Your guide to Hex

A careful first move helps you understand the round. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction. Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

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

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.

What counts as success

Take a moment to check the current turn. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

The order of play

  1. Play on a 7×7 hexagonal board. Blue connects top to bottom; red connects left to right.
  2. Place one stone in an empty cell. Once placed, stones stay fixed.
  3. After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone.
  4. The first connected path across the assigned edges wins. Select computer play or two players on one device before a round.

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.

Try this example

Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

A useful caution

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. A new round resets the current game.

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 game is played locally in your browser.

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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.

For this game, how many people can play here?

Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.

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.

When I start, 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.

On this page, can I move a placed stone?

No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. Use the labelled controls for your next action.

During a round, can I play with another person?

Yes, by selecting two players on this device. There is no online room or remote opponent. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

Choose a Card Game (opens in a new tab)