Surround your opponent's dots and take the ground inside
Dots Capture is a territory strategy game on a grid, in the spirit of classic pen-and-paper territory games. You and your opponent take turns placing dots on the intersections. Close a loop around their dots or an empty area and everything inside turns your color. When no moves are left, the larger territory wins.
Free on Android. Contains ads and optional in-app purchases.
How to play
- 1
Place
Take turns dropping your dots on the intersections of the grid.
- 2
Encircle
Join your dots into a closed loop around your opponent's dots or around empty territory.
- 3
Capture
The enclosed area turns your color and scores you points. Keep going until no moves are left. The player with the largest territory wins.
What Dots Capture does
- AI opponent
- Play the computer at three difficulty levels, from Easy for beginners to Hard for experienced players.
- Online matchmaking
- Find an opponent online and play a match against another person.
- Nearby play
- Challenge a friend in the same room over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
- Offline mode
- Play with no internet connection at all, on the road or anywhere the signal drops.
- Grid sizes
- Change the size of the board to make a game shorter and simpler or longer and more complex.
- Interactive tutorial
- A short tutorial walks you through the encircle-to-capture rule before your first match.
How it differs from Dots and Boxes
Dots and Boxes is about drawing lines to complete small squares. In Dots Capture you place dots and capture by encircling. One loop can take in several of your opponent's dots along with the empty ground around them, so a single move can swing the score. Watch for loops your opponent is building around your own dots, and place a dot in the gap before they close.
Choosing a grid size
A small grid gives a quick match with little room to maneuver. A larger grid gives a longer game with space to build big enclosures and defend them. Start small while you learn the rules, then size up. Against the AI, begin on Easy and move up to Hard once your loops start holding.
Who Dots Capture is for
Dots Capture is for players who like to plan a few moves ahead.
- Fans of abstract strategy board games such as Go or Reversi
- Anyone who played territory games on paper and wants a digital opponent
- Players who enjoy logic puzzles and grid-based games
- Competitive players who want to see their rank on a global leaderboard
Dots Capture questions
Is Dots Capture free?
Yes. Dots Capture is free to download on Google Play. It shows ads and offers optional in-app purchases.
Is there an iPhone version of Dots Capture?
Dots Capture is on Android today.
Can I play Dots Capture without internet?
Yes. Offline mode works with no connection.
How do I play Dots Capture with a friend?
If your friend is next to you, connect over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with nearby play. Otherwise, use online matchmaking to find an opponent.
How does a game of Dots Capture end?
The game ends when no moves are left. The player with the largest territory wins.
Is Dots Capture suitable for children?
It is rated Everyone on Google Play, and the tutorial teaches the rules before the first match.
Free on Android. Contains ads and optional in-app purchases.