Hepta
Alternate Names
No. of Players
Two
Equipment
A 7x7 square grid is the board used for this game, with the "counters" placed on the cells. The counters used for this game are seven neutral red counters which occupy a single cell; six black rectangular counters for which a group of three counters in a straight line may be substituted; and six white L-shaped counters for which a group of three counters in L-formation may be substituted. If using single-cell counters eighteen each of black and white counters are required for play.
A game of Hepta ensues using rectangular black counters and L-shaped white counters. The black and white counters always occupy exactly three cells.
The exact same game is here being played by simply substituting three black or three white counters for the rectangular and L-shaped counters. So long as white always places three counters per turn in an L-shape and black always places three in a rectangle, the substitution works well.
History
Hepta was invented by Alex Randolph and copyrighted in 1986.
Objective
The objective is to be the last player to be able to make a legal move and drop a counter.
Play
The game commences with the board vacant of counters. One player places all seven of the red neutral counters at vacant cells on the board. After all seven have been placed, the other player decides to play the rectangles or L's. The player who placed the neutral counters then places his first counter (or group of three counters, depending on the materials used). Turns alternate with each player placing one of their own type of counters on the board at each turn. Of course, no two counters may occupy the same cell. Once placed, counters are not moved, removed, or captured. If a player cannot move on their turn, they lose the game. Note that it is possible that every counter is dropped in a game in which case the fist player who no longer has a counter to drop loses the game.
Strategy
Variations
Sources
Hepta at Board Game Geek. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/10593/hepta