Play Hex free online — the classic connection strategy game. Place stones to link your two sides of the board with an unbroken chain before your opponent completes theirs, against three AI levels or a friend. No download or sign-up.
Overview
Hex is a pure connection strategy game played on a rhombus of hexagonal cells. Each of the two players owns a pair of opposite sides, and the goal is to build an unbroken chain of your own stones linking your two edges. It is beautifully simple — you only ever place stones, never move or capture them — yet deep enough to have fascinated mathematicians since the 1940s. Play against a quick AI, a Medium or Hard computer, or a friend in local pass-and-play.
How to play
Players take turns placing a single stone on any empty cell. One player is trying to connect the top of the board to the bottom, the other to connect left to right. Stones are never moved, captured or removed — once placed, a stone stays put — so every turn simply adds to the battle for a continuous path.
Winning — no draws
Hex can never end in a draw: when the board fills up, exactly one player will have connected their two sides. That mathematical certainty means the whole game is about building your own connection while quietly blocking your opponent’s, since the cells both sides want are shared.
The swap rule
Because moving first is a strong advantage, Hex uses the ‘swap’ rule: after the first stone is placed, the second player may choose to take that move’s colour instead of replying, neutralising an over-strong opening. The practical tip is to open near an edge — a modest opening that is not worth swapping for.
Strategy and tips
Think in terms of ‘bridges’ — two stones placed a short step apart that cannot be cut, because you can always complete either of the two connecting cells. Build flexible, branching paths rather than a single straight line an opponent can wall off. Watch both connections at once: often the strongest move both extends your chain and severs theirs.
Controls
Tap any empty cell to place your stone there. Use the menu to choose your difficulty — Vs AI, Medium, or Hard — or Local Pass & Play for two people, to pick a board size, or to change the theme.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hex free to play? Yes — free in your browser, no sign-up. Can Hex end in a draw? No — exactly one player always connects their sides. What is the swap rule? The second player may take the opening move’s colour instead of replying, to offset first-move advantage. Can stones be captured? No — Hex is pure connection; stones never move or leave the board.
