How to play
Star Hop is the game usually called Chinese checkers. Each player starts with ten pieces in one point of the star. The goal is to move all of them into the point straight across.
On your turn, move one piece. Either step it to a neighbouring empty hole, or hop over a piece right next to it (yours or anyone’s) into the empty hole on the other side. After a hop you can keep hopping from where you land, in any direction, as many times as you can. Pieces are never captured.
You win when the point opposite your start is full and at least one of the pieces in it is yours. That way a player who leaves a piece sitting in your target can’t stop you from finishing.
Tips
Long chains of hops win the race, so build ladders: line your pieces up with gaps between them and they’ll carry each other across the board. Don’t leave one piece stranded at the back; it will cost you many single steps at the end. Fill the far holes of your target first so the last pieces have room.
Playing together
Two players start opposite each other; three use every other point, so nobody’s target is taken; four, five and six fill more of the star. Seat any mix of people and computer players. In Play online (when it’s available) everyone plays on their own phone, with the board turned so your pieces start at the bottom.