Tic Tac Toe
Get three in a row. Play a friend on one device, or take on an opponent that cannot be beaten.
How to play Tic Tac Toe
- 1 Pick an opponent, or choose Two players to share one device.
- 2 You are X and move first. Tap any empty square.
- 3 Get three of your marks in a row — across, down or diagonally — to win.
- 4 Block your opponent the moment they have two in a row with a free third square.
About Tic Tac Toe
Tic Tac Toe is a solved game: with correct play by both sides it is always a draw. That is not a flaw, it is the point — the game is a lesson in seeing a forced outcome before it arrives.
The winning idea is the fork: a move that creates two lines of two at once, so your opponent cannot block both. Taking a corner first is the most common way to set one up, which is also why a good opponent answers a corner opening by taking the centre.
Unbeatable does exactly what it says — it searches every remaining position, so a draw is the best result available. Easy plays at random and medium slips about a quarter of the time, if you would rather actually win.
Frequently asked questions
Can you beat the unbeatable Tic Tac Toe computer?
No — it evaluates every possible continuation, so a draw is the best outcome available. Choose easy or medium if you want a winnable game.
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. Choose Two players and take turns tapping on the same device.
What is the best first move in Tic Tac Toe?
A corner. It gives you the most ways to build a fork, and it is the hardest opening for an inexperienced opponent to answer correctly.
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