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Overview

Hex

2 players · 10-45 min per session

Be the first to form an unbroken chain of your stones connecting your two assigned board edges.

Players: 2P Session length: 10-45 min

Board GameStrategyTwo Player

Goal & Core Rules

Be the first to form an unbroken chain of your stones connecting your two assigned board edges.

Players alternate placing one stone of their color on any empty hex cell.
Red connects left to right, and blue connects top to bottom.
Once placed, stones do not move for the rest of the game.
You win immediately when your stones connect your two opposite sides.
This web version supports VS AI (7×7, 9×9, 11×11), two-player (7×7, 11×11, 13×13), and computer-vs-computer (7×7, 11×11) modes.

VS AI

Play as red and face the computer on 7×7, 9×9, or 11×11 boards.

Two Player

Pass the device back and forth on 7×7, 11×11, or 13×13 boards.

Computer vs Computer

Watch two AIs fight for connection on 7×7 or 11×11 boards.

Controls

Mouse

Left click: place a stone on an empty hex
Move the pointer: preview the target cell
Top-right menu: open new game, restart, and help

Keyboard

This web version does not provide dedicated keyboard move input.

Touch

Tap or release: place a stone on an empty cell
Press and slide slightly: preview the target cell before releasing
Pinch zoom and drag: adjust the board view after zooming in

Beginner Tips

Think in terms of bridges: two-step connections that are hard to block cleanly.
Avoid playing only on the edge. Central influence usually matters more.
Before placing, ask whether the move also interferes with the opponent’s best route.

Advanced Tips

Learn common virtual-connection patterns to create threats that can’t be stopped in one move.
Occupying the central lane that crosses the opponent’s axis often makes later blocking much easier.
Look for forcing moves that create double threats with two possible follow-up connections.

Origins & History

Hex was invented in 1942 by Danish polymath Piet Hein and later independently rediscovered by mathematician John Nash in the late 1940s. It was marketed widely after Parker Brothers released a commercial set in 1952.

Timeline

1942 Piet Hein invents the game and introduces it at the Niels Bohr Institute.
1948 John Nash independently rediscovers the game at Princeton (late 1940s).
1952 Parker Brothers markets the game under the name “Hex”.

Notable People

Piet Hein Invented Hex (1942)
John Nash Independently rediscovered and popularized Hex in the late 1940s

Trivia

Because draws are impossible, every move has long-term strategic consequences.
Tournament rules often use the swap (pie) rule to reduce first-player advantage.

Sources

FAQ

Why can’t Hex end in a draw?

On a completely filled board, exactly one player must have a connecting path between their sides, so the game always has a winner.

Which modes does this web version support?

It supports VS AI, two-player, and computer-vs-computer modes. Depending on the mode, you can choose 7×7, 9×9, 11×11, or 13×13 boards.

What board size should I start with?

Smaller boards like 7×7 or 9×9 help you learn patterns quickly before moving to 11×11 and larger.

Hex