Asobi Lounge / Games / Hex
Hex rules and how to play: join your two edges on a board of hexagons
A two-player game on a rhombus of hexagons: take turns placing stones, and the first to join their two edges of the board wins. The rules end there, yet connecting and blocking make it deep, and a draw can never happen. Play the CPU at three strength levels.
- Also known as: Hex game
- Players: 2 players (1 against the CPU)
- Price: free
- Runs in the browser (no install)
Play now
The game screen is in Japanese.
Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.
Hex modes
- CPU match (CPU対戦): play the CPU at three strength levels (choose the board size). No sign-in needed
- Random Match (ランダムマッチ): play someone online
- Room Match (ルーム対戦): play a friend using a room ID or a friend invite (to invite a friend, they also need to create an account and register as your friend). Choose the board size
Basic rules of Hex
- The board is a rhombus of hexagons: 9×9, 11×11 or 13×13 (11×11 by default).
- Players take turns placing one stone on any empty hexagon. Stones never move.
- Red (first) wins by joining the top and bottom edges with a chain of red stones; blue (second) by joining the left and right edges.
- One colour always connects before the board fills up, so there is never a draw.
- With its first move, the second player may swap instead of placing: red's stone becomes a blue stone at the mirrored place (row and column exchanged), and red plays again.
How to play on Asobi Lounge
- On your turn, press an empty hexagon to place a stone.
- On the second player's first move, a Swap (入れ替える) button appears too.
- When a chain is complete, its stones light up.
Tips
- Two stones with two empty hexagons between them (a bridge) stay connected: if one is blocked, use the other.
- Building your own path and blocking your opponent's matter about equally.
- Because of the swap, the first stone usually goes a little off the centre, not in the middle.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a game be drawn?
- No. One colour always connects before the board fills up.
- Can I play alone?
- Yes, against the CPU, without signing in.
- What happens if a player leaves during a game?
- The CPU takes over for them, so the game does not stop. Online, you have 30 seconds per move; if time runs out, a move is made for you.
- Is Hex free to play?
- Yes, it costs nothing. Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.