Board game · Strategy · Puzzle · Family
Black Hole
Place numbered counters on a triangular grid. Avoid the final empty Black Hole — the lowest adjacent sum wins!
- Players
- 1–3 players · TV remote & phone
- Controller
- TV remote or Phone as controller
- Mode
- Solo · Multiplayer
- Good for
- Everyone
About Black Hole
Black Hole is an award-winning abstract mathematical strategy game invented by Walter Joris. Players take turns placing numbered counters in strict ascending order onto a triangular board of 21 circles.
When all counters are placed, exactly one empty position remains on the board — and collapses into the cosmic Black Hole! The Black Hole swallows all directly connected counters. The player whose adjacent counters add up to the lowest total sum wins the game.
Play solo against the computer across 4 intelligent difficulty tiers (Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert), challenge a friend on the same couch using the TV remote or keyboard, or scan the QR code to connect phones for real-time multiplayer synchronization on the big screen.
How to play
- 1
Counters must be placed in strict ascending numerical order: both players place 1, then both place 2, up to 10.
- 2
On your turn, choose any unoccupied circle on the triangular grid to place your current counter.
- 3
After 20 turns, the final remaining empty circle becomes the Black Hole.
- 4
Only counters directly touching the Black Hole along grid lines are counted. The player with the lowest total sum wins!
Controls
- TV Remote — Arrow keys (◀ ▶ ▲ ▼) to navigate empty circles, OK / Enter to place counter
- Phone Screen — Tap any unoccupied circle on your touch screen to place your counter immediately
- Keyboard — Arrow keys to move selection, Space / Enter to place, H for strategic hint, R to restart
How to Connect Your Phone as a Controller
Turn any smartphone into a wireless game controller in under 30 seconds — no app install or account needed:
- 1
Open Black Hole on your television screen to display the room pairing QR code.
- 2
Scan the QR code with your iPhone or Android camera to open the instant browser controller.
- 3
Enter a player nickname. Your phone connects directly to the TV session with real-time private controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does scoring work in Black Hole?
- Only counters directly touching the final empty circle (the Black Hole) along grid lines are scored. Each player sums their own adjacent counters. The player with the lowest score wins!
- Can I choose which number to place?
- No. Numbers must be placed in strict numerical order from 1 to 10. Your strategy is deciding WHERE to place each number on the triangular board.
- Can I play on TV with my phone as a controller?
- Yes! Scan the on-screen QR code with your smartphone camera to connect instantly. Your phone renders the full interactive board with touch controls and haptic feedback.
- Is there a 3-player mode?
- Yes. Black Hole includes an authentic 3-player variant played on a 7-row (28-circle) board with counters numbered 1 through 9.
Categories
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Guides and ideas
Read guides, tips and party ideas that use Black Hole on the GamesOnTV blog.
Player Opinions & Suggestions
Have thoughts on Black Hole? Want to suggest new rules, report a bug, or request a feature? Every opinion and suggestion goes directly to our admin team to make games better!