How to play

Get five in a row. Trap two of their chips to cull one.

CULLS is a two-player strategy game by Rob Nelson and Brian Bailey.

The rules

1Place
Tap an empty cell to place a chip. Blue goes first. Your first turn is two chips.
2Trap
Close a line of you · them · them · you — up and down or on either diagonal — and their two chips are trapped.
3Cull
Pick one trapped chip to cull. It flips to show the C, stops counting, and still blocks its cell until it is swept off after your opponent's next turn. The other chip stays.
4Win
Five of your chips in a row wins — up and down or on either diagonal. Making five wins at once. A full board with no five is a draw.

Hold the centre. Central chips sit on more lines.
Every chip does two jobs. It builds your five and can close a trap.
Check all three lines. Before you place next to their chips, look up-down and both diagonals for a trap.

How do you win?

Five of your chips in a row, up and down or on either diagonal.

What is a cull?

Trap two of their chips between two of yours, then pick one to cull. It flips, still blocks its cell, and is swept off after their next turn.

Can I cull two chips at once?

No. However many chips you trap, you cull one per turn — your pick.

Can I play a bot?

Yes. Four bots, from Chip (gentle) to Crimson (ruthless). No account needed for the Practice Bot.

How long is a game?

Usually 10 to 20 minutes.