Tic Tac Toe

Three squares in a row. One familiar challenge.

Tic Tac Toe turns a small grid into a quick contest of attention and timing. Two players take turns marking empty squares on a three-by-three board. One uses X and the other uses O. The first to place three matching marks in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line wins. If all nine squares fill without a winning line, the round ends in a draw.

This version gives you two ways to play: challenge the computer or share your device with a friend. There is nothing to install and no account to create. A round takes only a few moves, making it easy to play during a short break or use as a simple introduction to turn-based strategy.

Start a round

1. Choose Computer or A friend, same device from the opponent menu.
2. X always makes the first move. Select any empty square.
3. Watch the message above the New round button to see whose turn comes next.
4. Complete a line of three while blocking your opponent's lines.
5. Select New round whenever you want a fresh board.

Against the computer, you play X and the computer plays O. It responds after your move. In two-player mode, pass the device or take turns using the same screen. Changing the opponent starts a new round, so finish the current game first if you want to keep its result visible. The game does not maintain a match history or league table.

Read the board before choosing a square

Begin each turn by looking for an immediate winning move. If two of your marks already share a line and the third square is empty, filling that square ends the game. Next, check whether your opponent has the same opportunity. Blocking that open square is usually urgent unless you can win with your own move first.

The centre square participates in four possible winning lines. Each corner participates in three, and each edge-centre square participates in two. That makes the centre and corners useful positions, but a square's value still depends on the current board. Do not ignore an immediate threat just to claim a favourite opening position.

Learn to recognise a fork

A fork is a position that creates two different winning threats at once. Your opponent may be able to block one line but not the other. Corners often help create these patterns because they connect rows, columns and diagonals. Before making a move, imagine the next turn and look for two lines that could become dangerous together.

Defending against a fork sometimes means creating an immediate threat of your own. That can force the opponent to respond instead of developing the planned fork. The right answer depends on the exact position, so take a moment to inspect the whole grid rather than focusing only on the last square played.

What to expect from the computer

The computer examines possible continuations and chooses a move that avoids losing when such a move is available. It is designed to provide a strong opponent, rather than intentionally make random mistakes. With careful play from both sides, Tic Tac Toe can end in a draw. Holding a strong opponent to a draw is a good result.

If you prefer a more relaxed match, switch to two-player mode. Try explaining your move to a friend before placing it, or take turns identifying threats on the board. The small number of squares makes it possible to discuss the strategy without needing to remember a long sequence of earlier moves.

Full-screen play

Select Full Screen above the board to expand the game frame. Supported browsers use native full screen; other browsers use an expanded page view. The Exit button returns to the page without resetting your game.

Frequently asked questions