How to play Hex: strategy

Hex is simple: connect your two sides. But a few patterns, especially the bridge, change how you see the board.

The rules

Players take turns placing a stone on any empty hexagon. Gold wins by joining the top and bottom edges with a connected chain; Ivory wins by joining left and right. Stones never move or get captured. A game of Hex can never end in a draw.

Start near the centre

A central stone is close to both of your edges and gets in the way of your opponent. On small boards, the centre is the strongest first move.

The bridge

Two of your stones with two empty cells between them that both touch both stones form a bridge. If your opponent plays in one of the two cells, you play in the other, and your stones stay connected. Bridges let you cover ground twice as fast as placing stones side by side.

Block from a distance

Placing a stone right next to your opponent’s is easy for them to go around. Block a little further ahead, where you can respond to their next move.

Edge templates

A stone on the second row from your edge, with two empty cells below it, is already connected to the edge: whichever cell your opponent takes, you take the other. Knowing when you’re already connected saves moves for elsewhere.

Think in paths

Count how many more stones each player needs to connect. Good moves shorten your path and lengthen your opponent’s at the same time.