Inspect the destination before drawing
Move to a neighbouring point horizontally, vertically or diagonally, using a line that has not been drawn. The point you reach gives another move if a boundary or earlier line already touched it before your new move. Otherwise your turn ends.
The line you are drawing does not itself create a bounce for that arrival. If it did, every move would keep the turn. Also distinguish a point from a line: you may return to an old point through a new line, but cannot travel backwards along the line you just drew.
Follow a four-move loop
Use local coordinates centred on the opening ball, away from the boundary. Call the starting point A=(0,0), its right neighbour B=(1,0), the point below B C=(1,1), and the point below A D=(0,1). These labels describe this example, not coordinates printed on the game board.
| Move | Destination | Next turn |
|---|---|---|
| Player 1: A → B | Fresh | Player 2 |
| Player 2: B → C | Fresh | Player 1 |
| Player 1: C → D | Fresh | Player 2 |
| Player 2: D → A | Previously touched | Player 2 again |
Returning to A gives Player 2 a bounce because A already touches the first segment. Player 2 must now choose an unused exit. A → B and A → D are both unavailable: those lines are already drawn.
Can Player 2 go straight back to D?
Reveal the answer
No. A bounce grants another move, not permission to reuse a line. The segment between A and D is used in both directions. A fresh diagonal from A may still be legal if its destination is on the pitch.
Count exits after the entire bounce chain
Before accepting a bounce, look at the next point’s unused lines. Arriving at an old point can keep your turn and leave you with no exit. In that case you lose, because you are still the player required to move. A bounce is an opportunity, not always a reward.
Conversely, finishing at a fresh point hands the problem to your opponent. Trace two or three segments ahead: can they bounce along a boundary into your goal, or will their useful routes run out? Avoid offering a chain you have not followed yourself.
Drawing into the goal you attack wins immediately. Drawing into your own goal loses. The game ends on that goal; it is not a timed match with several goals to accumulate.
Try it on the same screen
Choose Same device to discuss both players’ choices, or start against a gentler bot. Click or tap a neighbouring point to draw one segment. You do not need to drag the whole intended path at once; watch the turn feedback after each segment before continuing.
The loop above can be drawn around the centre of a new match. After completing it, compare the unused exits at the starting point. Then start a fresh game and vary the final destination: the difference between arriving at a fresh point and a touched one should become visible.
For another game about extra turns, try Dots and Boxes, where completing a box keeps the turn. For eliminating possible hidden shapes, read the Airplanes deduction guide.
Take it to the game
Found a rule that behaves differently or an example that needs explaining? Report the problem with the game and the steps you tried.