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Hare and Hounds Strategy and Tips

Here is how to think about winning at Hare and Hounds, split into short lessons. Each one reads on its own, and each one comes with a real position: press Try it on the board and you play the move yourself.

Drive the hare to the right end and three hounds can corner it

Lesson 1

There are only a few places where the hare can be caught. The centre point has eight lines through it, far too many for three hounds. The right end, though, touches only the three points of the right-hand column, and three hounds can fill all of them.

Here the top and bottom of the right column are already taken, so the hare has one way out along the middle row. Step the middle hound right and the hare has nowhere to go on its turn.

As the hounds, build towards pushing the hare into that end. Hounds cannot come back, so do not rush ahead; aim to arrive in the right column together.

Close a gap with one vertical step

Lesson 2

Hounds cannot move back, so once the hare gets behind them the chase is over. The thing to watch is any gap in the line, especially the top and bottom of the left column, which lead straight to the left end.

Here the hare is on the bottom row and the bottom of the left column is empty. If it gets in there, it slips to the left end next. Moving the middle hound of that column down one step closes the gap.

A vertical move does not advance, but it is the best defence. With the ten-vertical-moves rule, mix in forward moves before the count reaches ten.

The hounds want the centre point

Lesson 3

The centre of the board is the only point where eight lines meet: horizontal, vertical and both diagonals. A hare there can run in every direction. A hound there pushes the hare back into the right column and the right end.

Here the hare sits in the middle of the right column and the centre point is empty. Moving the hound at the top of the middle column straight down into the centre leaves the hare only the right end, and the next move corners it.

Advancing while leaving the centre open lets the hare run through it and behind you. Take the centre, or line up to take it, before pushing forward.

As the hare, run for the centre

Lesson 4

The hare is never captured, but it loses when it has no move. The right column and the right end have few neighbours, which makes them easy places to be surrounded. To get away, head for points with many lines.

Here the hare is in the middle of the right column and the centre point is free. Step into it, then into a free point of the left column, then out to the left end; the single hound back there cannot cover all three.

Running to the right end instead lets three hounds close in. As the hare, look for the centre and for gaps in the hounds’ line.

Try it on the board

Pick a lesson and the board starts from that position. Start over as often as you like.

Now put it to work

Play with friendsLearn how to play (3 min)

Last updated 2026-09-25 · Run by Qdan, Inc.