The Epic Dot Game

When I was a kid, my grandma would often play The Dot Game with me anytime we were in a situation where I was bored and she was trying to keep me occupied. It’s great – simple, easy-to-learn, and does not take much, just pen or pencil and paper.

There are other names for this game… a couple of which are “Dots and Boxes,” “La Pipopipette,” and even “Pigs in a Pen.” It been around for over a century! The game was first published in the 19th century by French mathematician Édouard Lucas.

These days, kids are more often entertained by electronics. I wanted to teach my son to play this game, the old-school way. It is a great way to play a quick screen-free game that can be played even when phones die and iPad batteries are charging. Instead of having to draw out all of the dots, though, we can play this giant reusable version on an acrylic board with a dry-erase marker. When the game is over, wipe it off and start over! (And if you won and need bragging rights, just take a photo real quick before you wipe it off! lol)

How to play the game:

Each player takes turns connecting two dots by drawing a horizontal or vertical line between them. The player who completes the fourth side of a square (forming a box) puts his or her initials inside and gets another turn. When all the dots have been made into boxes, the player with the most boxes wins. If you want to learn more about the game, here is some interesting documentation and strategy.

REMINDER: TEST, MASK (if needed) & DON’T FORGET TO VENT & SET FOCUS HEIGHT

Let’s Make The Epic Dot Game!

First, download the The Epic Dot Game design from my design library. The design prints on the bottom side of a sheet of clear acrylic, so it is reversed. This allows you to play the game on the smooth side of the acrylic and wipe it off easily.

This design works best with medium (~1/8″) or thick (1/4″) clear acrylic, masked.
Place your material into the Glowforge. Secure the material to the bed of the machine, using honeycomb pins.
Upload The Epic Dot Game design to the Glowforge dashboard. Move the design to the location on the acrylic to cut the game board. If you want to personalize the game board with an engraving or scored design, choose that design, also, upload it and arrange it where desired.
Set your material to the appropriate settings.

Materials and Supplies Needed:

medium or thick clear acrylic, approximately 1/4″, approximately 9″ x 11″ or larger

Tools:

calipers to check the exact height of your material (or use “auto” setting)

In the left bar, choose your material settings. Then set the outline of the board to cut, and the game design to engrave.
Print.
Find your favorite opponent and start playing!