Careful where you place your numbers — the Black Hole is waiting! In this clever strategy game, players take turns placing numbers on a board of circles. At the end, one space — the Black Hole — is left empty. The player whose numbers next to it add up to the lowest total wins! With multiple board sizes, you can pick the level of challenge.

Download and print a Black Hole board (choose the number of rows — larger boards = longer, trickier games!).

• Use numbers from 1 up to one less than the number of spaces on the board (for example: if the board has 36 spaces, use numbers 1–35).
• Players take turns writing one number at a time into any empty space.
• Keep going until only one space remains — this is the Black Hole.
• For each of your numbers that touches the Black Hole, add up their values.
• The player with the smallest total wins!

 

Tip: Bigger numbers near the Black Hole can cost you the game — plan ahead!

Timed Turns

• Use a timer (10–20 seconds per move) — especially fun on larger boards!

 

Progressive Play

• Start with the small board, then try the medium, and finally the large board — a great challenge path.

 

Color Play

• Each player chooses a color and writes their numbers in that color — fun for kids and helps track moves.

 

Mini Tournament

• Play 3 rounds (one on each board size) — the player with the most wins is the Black Hole champion.

 

Predict the Hole

• Before the game, each player guesses where they think the Black Hole will end up — fun extra twist!