The Board
Hex is played on an 11x11 rhombus-shaped grid of hexagons — 121 cells total.
Players
Two players take turns placing a stone on any empty hex. Red aims to connect the top and bottom edges. Blue aims to connect the left and right edges.
Winning
The first player to create an unbroken chain of their stones connecting their two sides wins. Chains can twist and turn — they just need to be connected through adjacent hexagons.
No Draws
Hex can never end in a draw — one player must always win. This is a mathematically proven property of the game.
Strategy Tips
The center is powerful. Try to build “bridges” — pairs of stones that guarantee a connection even if your opponent blocks one path. Look for ladder patterns that force your opponent into a losing position.
Visual Guide
Red — connects top to bottom Blue — connects left to right Top/bottom edges tinted red Left/right edges tinted blue