Duel · Live
Trace Multiplayer
Same board, same moment.
About Trace duels
Play Trace multiplayer with someone you know, whether you are sitting together or talking from different places. A Duel gives two people the same fresh puzzle and a shared live start. Open a private room here, send its invitation link, and meet your friend there. You can choose a single round for a short break or a longer match when you both have time.
How to play Trace with a friend
Choose your match
Keep Trace selected for a match in this game, or choose Surprise me for a mix of short games. Pick best of one, three or five, choose the round time, and check the language before creating the invitation.
Invite one friend
Select Invite a Friend to open a private room. Copy the link or use the sharing sheet to send it through your usual chat. Your friend opens the same room from the invitation; neither of you needs to register an account.
Meet at the same board
The room shows who has joined. Once both players are ready, the live round starts for both at the same time. Puzzle details stay hidden in the lobby, and the invitation contains a room code rather than the solution or a puzzle seed.
Compare each round
Complete the Trace board and compare the result with your friend. Each game keeps its own rules for a winning result. A match counts round wins; if neither side gains a deciding advantage, the results can remain tied.
Trace rules for a Duel
Draw the required path through the numbered grid while respecting the puzzle rules. Both players start with identical clues and must finish a valid path. Plan around tight corners and constrained cells first, so an early move does not leave a later section of the grid unreachable.
How the winner is decided
A correct Trace solve ranks ahead of an unfinished board. Between two solves, the shorter solving time wins. The server starts the live round together for both players, so the clock measures the same opportunity to play.
Trace multiplayer questions
Does either player need an account?
No. Guests can open a room and take a seat from its invitation link. Allow the site to remember your browser so your seat stays associated with you when you return. Creating a room does not publish your invitation in the game directory.
Is this the daily Trace puzzle?
No. This live Duel creates fresh Trace boards for the match. The daily solo game remains separate, so you can practise there without using up the boards in your invitation. Both Duel seats receive the same board for each round.
Can we play in another language?
Yes. Choose a language supported by the selected game before opening the room. The invitation keeps the match language for both players. Some word games are available in fewer languages, and the game choices update to show what works for your selection.
What does Surprise me change?
It asks the server to choose a mix of supported short games on fresh boards. Both players get the same sequence. A mixed match compares round wins, rather than adding unrelated guess counts, swap counts or solving times from different games.
Is playing with a friend free?
Yes. Opening a private Trace Duel and sharing its invitation is free. You can play in your browser on a phone or a computer. Send the link directly to your friend and agree a time when both of you can join.