Is Chinese Checkers free here?

Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.

Is Chinese Checkers the same as Halma?

Not quite. The original Halma is played on a square board. Chinese Checkers (Sternhalma) is the well-known star-shaped variant for up to six players, and that is the game here.

Can several people play on one phone?

Yes. Choose the number of players in the menu and make each seat a human or the AI. You then take turns on the same device.

Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account, so you can carry on on any device.

Chinese Checkers Online – vs the AI or Friends

Play Chinese Checkers online for free

Chinese Checkers, known in Germany as Sternhalma, is the classic game on the six-pointed star: every player moves their pieces from one point of the star to the opposite one. Hop cleverly over your own and other players' pieces, build long jump chains and get there first.

On PanicLines you play for free in your browser on phone, tablet and computer, with no download and no sign-up. Play the AI at three levels, play with friends on one device, or mix both: each of the two, three, four or six seats can be a human or the AI.

Rules

The star has 121 holes. Every player starts with ten pieces in one point of the star. Red moves first, then play goes clockwise.
A move is either a step into a free neighbouring hole or a jump over a directly neighbouring piece of any colour into the free hole behind it. Jumps can be chained, and you may stop after any jump. Nothing is captured.
The first player to fill every hole of their target corner wins. Other players' pieces left in your target count as filled holes, so blocking a corner does not work.
If nobody has filled their target after 200 moves each, the game is a draw.

Modes and AI levels

Two to six players: two play across the star, three on every other point, four or six on more points. Each seat is a human or the AI.
Easy only sees single jumps, Medium whole jump chains, Hard plans three of its own moves ahead and expects the others' replies.
With two or three players there is also the big variant with 15 pieces.

Controls

Tap one of your pieces: every hole it can reach lights up, including the ends of long jump chains. Tap a target and the piece hops there hole by hole.
The tap areas are larger than the holes and the board fits any phone without zooming. On a computer everything works with Tab and Enter too.
The last move stays visible as a dashed trail; the AI moves at a calm pace so you can follow its jumps.

Tips and strategy

Build ladders: line up your pieces with one free hole between them, and the ones behind can jump far ahead in a single move.
No stragglers: one piece left far behind costs many moves at the end. Bring it along in time.
Use other pieces: other players' pieces are stepping stones too. Look where you can get by jumping over them.
Hold the centre: whoever holds the middle of the star finds more jumps and gets in the way of the others' ladders.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chinese Checkers free here?: Yes. You play right in your browser with no sign-up and no download, and there is nothing to buy.
Is Chinese Checkers the same as Halma?: Not quite. The original Halma is played on a square board. Chinese Checkers (Sternhalma) is the well-known star-shaped variant for up to six players, and that is the game here.
Can several people play on one phone?: Yes. Choose the number of players in the menu and make each seat a human or the AI. You then take turns on the same device.
Is my game saved?: Yes. A game in progress survives reloading the page. Without an account it stays in this browser; with a PanicLines account it is kept in your account, so you can carry on on any device.