Quick Rules
Triangles is the triangle form of dots and boxes, the pencil-and-paper game many of us played on the back of a placemat. The board is a big triangle made of dots, and between them are lots of small triangles waiting to be closed.
- Taking turns. On your turn, draw one line between two dots that sit side by side.
- Closing a triangle. Each small triangle has three sides. Whoever draws the third side closes it and claims it. Your triangles get your color, your pattern and your letter.
- Go again. When your line closes a triangle (or two at once), you draw another line. Keep going as long as you keep closing triangles.
- Be careful with second sides. Drawing the second side of a triangle lets your opponent close it.
- Winning. When every line is drawn, the player with more triangles wins.
How to Play on This Page
Lines are thin, so you don't have to hit one exactly. Tap anywhere near the line you want, and the game picks the nearest line that isn't drawn yet and shows it in yellow. Tap the same place again, or press Draw It, to draw it. Tapped the wrong spot? Just tap somewhere else, or press Cancel. Players who like to go faster can turn on One tap to draw in Settings.
The score line above the board reads like "You 7 · Computer 5 · 13 left", and the box above it says in plain words what just happened, such as "You closed a triangle and go again." The first player's triangles are blue with dots, the second player's are orange with stripes, and each has a letter in the middle, so you can tell them apart without relying on color. The newest line is drawn extra thick.
Tap Hint for a suggested line with its reason, Why? beside a computer move to see what it was thinking, and Undo My Move to take a line back. In Settings you can pick Easy, Normal or Hard, a Small, Medium or Large board, who draws first, or, on a tablet or computer, play a friend on the same screen. It's a nice game to play together with a grandchild.
Tips for Winning
- Never draw a second side if you can help it. Before every line, look at the one or two triangles it touches. If either already has one side, your line hands it over.
- Take what's offered. If a triangle has two sides, close it and draw again.
- Count the chains. Near the end, the safe lines run out and the board breaks into chains of triangles. Whoever must open the first chain usually loses the most.
- Give away the smallest piece. When every line gives something away, pick the line that gives the fewest triangles.
- Leave two to win more. When you take a long chain, sometimes it pays to leave the last two triangles so your opponent must open the next chain for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Triangles free to play here?
Yes. Play as many games as you like for free, with no account, no download and no ads over the board.
Is this the same as dots and boxes?
It is the triangle form of dots and boxes. Instead of a square grid of dots you play on a big triangle of dots, and instead of closing boxes with four sides you close small triangles with three sides. Everything else works the same way: one line per turn, close a shape to claim it and draw again, and the most shapes at the end wins.
Does the computer cheat?
No. There are no hidden cards or dice in Triangles: you and the computer see exactly the same dots and lines, and the computer follows the same rules. It simply counts ahead. Tap Why? beside any computer move to read its reason. Every game has a number, and Replay This Game starts the same game again.
Why do I get another turn after closing a triangle?
That is the usual rule, borrowed from dots and boxes: closing a shape earns you another line, so one good line can start a whole run of triangles. Some families play that turns always alternate instead. You can switch that on in Settings under House rules.
The lines are thin. How do I pick the right one?
You don't have to hit the line itself. Tap anywhere near it and the game picks the nearest line that is not drawn yet, then shows it in yellow. Tap the same place again, or press Draw It, to draw it. If you chose the wrong one, just tap somewhere else. If you prefer, Settings has a One tap to draw option.
Can the game end in a tie?
On the Medium board there are 25 triangles, so someone always wins. The Small board has 16 triangles and the Large board has 36, so on those boards an 8 to 8 or 18 to 18 tie is possible.
Can two people play on the same device?
Yes, on a tablet or computer. Open Settings, choose Two players on this device, and type a name for each player if you like. The status box shows whose turn it is in large letters. On a phone the screen is too small for two, so phones play against the computer.
Can I take back a line?
Yes, unless you turn it off. Undo My Move takes back your last line and everything the computer drew after it, so it is your turn again. You can switch Allow Undo off in Settings.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every line, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
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