Game guide · 5AICAKE
Rules, controls and help for Hex
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.
Practice beyond the first move
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. After the opening stone, the second player can swap colours and goal edges instead of placing a stone. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What the game asks you to do
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Connect your two opposite edges with an unbroken chain of your stones. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Work through the instructions
- 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
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap an empty hexagon. Swap sides is available only to the second player immediately after the first stone. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Put the rules into context
The board gives you the information needed for the next 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A common point of confusion
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.
If you are unsure
On this page, 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. 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 game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Computer or same-device 2 players. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, which sides am I connecting?
The caption shows your current colour. Blue links top and bottom; red links left and right. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, 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.
During a round, can I move a placed stone?
No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty cell. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.