YaliKit board game

Hex

Board size

Mode

How to win

Red links the top and bottom edges. Blue links the left and right edges.

Red moves first. Take turns placing one stone. Hex can never be a tie, so exactly one connection always wins.

📖 How to play

How to play Hex

Take turns placing stones on a hex board. Be the first to connect your two edges with an unbroken chain of your colour.

  1. 1

    Pick your two edges

    You are Red or Blue. Red connects the top edge to the bottom edge. Blue connects the left edge to the right edge. The matching edges are tinted in your colour.

  2. 2

    Place one stone

    On your turn tap any empty hexagon to drop your stone there. Red goes first, then you take turns placing one stone each. A stone never moves once placed.

  3. 3

    Grow a connected chain

    Each hexagon touches up to six neighbours. Link your own stones side by side, including the two diagonal directions, to build a path across the board.

  4. 4

    Cut the other player

    Your stone also blocks. Put a stone in the gap your opponent needs so their chain cannot reach both of their edges.

  5. 5

    Connect to win

    The moment your stones form one unbroken chain from your first edge to your second edge, you win. Hex can never be a tie, so someone always connects.

How you win

Be the first to link your two edges with a single connected chain of your own stones. Red joins top to bottom, Blue joins left to right. There are no draws in Hex.

A short, straight path is stronger than a long, wandering one, so aim for the most direct line between your edges.

Play the computer, sit next to a friend for 2 players, or match a friend online.

Game guide

How to play Hex online

Hex is a two-player connection strategy game played on a rhombus board of hexagons, invented independently by Piet Hein and John Nash, where each player owns two opposite edges and races to link them with an unbroken chain of their own stones. Red owns the top and bottom edges and Blue owns the left and right edges, Red moves first, and players strictly alternate placing one stone on any empty hexagon, where a placed stone never moves. Each cell touches up to six neighbours, and you win the instant your stones form a single connected path from one of your edges to the other, so you attack by extending your own chain while cutting the line your opponent needs. A key fact makes Hex unique among board games: it can never end in a draw, because when the board fills exactly one player must have connected their edges, so every game has a winner. On YaliKit you play Hex free in your browser on a 9x9, 11x11, or 13x13 board against a computer opponent that hunts the shortest connection, with a friend in 2 player mode on one device, or against a friend online in a private 11x11 room where you share the same board and take strict turns, with the two edge pairs colour-coded and your last move marked. No download or signup is needed.

Play again
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Quick facts

Price
Free
Platform
Browser
Category
Strategy & Board
Install
No download

Visual play guide

Start the round

Look at the Hex game above. If you see a start, play, or new game button, press it first.

WASD

Move or tap

Use the arrow keys, WASD, touch buttons, swipes, or a controller. Pick the controls that feel easiest.

Try again

Watch what changed after your move. If the round ends, start again and try one better idea.

How to use the game

  1. 1

    Look at the game

    The game is at the top of this page. You do not need to download anything. Just wait for it to load.

  2. 2

    Find the goal

    Hex is about trying to play a strategic board game online. The score, board, timer, or message will show what is happening.

  3. 3

    Choose your controls

    On a computer, use the keyboard. On a phone or tablet, tap or swipe. If a controller is connected, try the d-pad or buttons.

  4. 4

    Play one round

    Make a move, see what happens, and keep going. You do not have to be perfect on the first try.

  5. 5

    Restart and improve

    When the game ends, press new game or restart. Try to beat your last score, time, or mistake count.

Try these challenges

Pick one small goal, play a round, then come back and try the next one.

First try

Play one full round of Hex. Do not worry about winning; just learn what each button or move does.

Beat yourself

Play again and try to beat your last score, time, streak, or mistake count by a little bit.

Focus mode

Turn on fullscreen and play one quiet round. Bigger play space makes it easier to stay with the game.

Teach someone

Explain the goal of Hex in one sentence. If you can teach it simply, you understand the game better.

Beginner tips

Read before acting

look for threats and opportunities together; a good move usually improves both attack and defense

Use fullscreen for focus

Fullscreen mode gives Hex more room on small screens and makes the game feel closer to a native app.

Practice one pattern

Choose one skill to improve each round: timing, accuracy, board planning, or mistake recovery. Focused practice beats random replaying.

Fun facts

Replay makes you sharper

Playing Hex again helps you remember what worked. That is why quick restart buttons are so useful.

Fast rounds help learning

Short Hex rounds are useful because you can test one idea, see the result, and try again right away.

Your brain spots patterns

Games like Hex help your brain notice patterns. After a few rounds, moves that felt confusing can start to feel natural.

Mistakes are clues

A mistake in Hex is not just a loss. It is a clue that shows what to watch for next time.

FAQ

What is Hex?+

Hex is a free online strategy & board game you can play directly in your browser on YaliKit. It is designed for quick sessions, visible controls, and instant replay without downloads or account setup.

How do I play Hex online?+

Start the game at the top of the page, read the current objective, then use keyboard, touch, or supported controller actions to play. The guide on this page explains the basic flow before you jump into a full round.

Does Hex work on mobile?+

Yes. Hex is built as a responsive browser game, so it works on modern phones and tablets. Use touch controls, rotate the screen if the game benefits from more width, and use fullscreen for a cleaner play area.

Can I play Hex without downloading anything?+

Yes. Hex runs in the browser with no app download required. Open the page, let the game load, and start playing immediately on desktop, mobile, or tablet.

What is the best beginner tip for Hex?+

The best beginner tip is to make one careful decision at a time. Watch the board or playfield, understand what changed after each action, and restart with a specific improvement instead of guessing faster.

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