How to Win at Tic Tac Toe



A classic game that is easy to play anywhere. In some countries, it is also known as "Noughts and Crosses". With the following strategies in your repertoire, you are likely to win most of the time.

Steps   

Strategy One:

  1. Pick one of the corners to start. If your opponent goes anywhere but in the middle, they have already lost.
  2. Pick another corner either vertically or horizontally in line with your first corner. Do not pick the corner diagonally across from your first choice. Your opponent will now take the square that blocks you from winning.
  3. Pick the third corner that lines up with both of the corners you picked in your previous moves.
  4. You win! Your opponent can only block you from getting three in a row in one direction. You will complete the other direction on your next move.


Strategy Two:

  1. As the first player, start in any corner.
  2. Take the opposite corner and then a corner that leaves you an option to make 3 in a row 2 or 3 ways. The other player will never have a chance to make his or her own move and will have to keep trying to block you.


Strategy Three:

  1. Move first into any corner.
  2. If "O" moves to a corner, "X" any other corner. "O" will have to use a move to block your potential win. If you place a "X" in the last corner, you will have two open opportunities to win. Your opponent can't block both. You win.
  3. If "O" moves to an edge, consider your next move carefully. "X" the corner that will give you a potential win and if blocked will not set up your opponent for a win. Your opponent will have to use a move to block you. Place a "X" in a corner to set up the win.
  4. If "O" moves to the center, place a "X" in the corner opposite your first move. If your opponent moves to any corner square, put a "X" in the remaining square and you will win. If "O" moves to any edge square, it will be a draw. This is the only way to block this strategy. Remember it just in case you are playing against someone who is using this method on you.


Tips   

  • Tic Tac Toe can always be won, or at least tied if you just pay attention. It doesn't matter what your first move is at all, just block your opponent. Eventually you will win, or tie. But pay attention or you might get caught where the opponent has two ways to win. It does help to be first.


Warnings   

  • Tic Tac Toe frequently ends in a draw. In fact, if neither player makes a mistake it always ends in a draw. Don't play so long that you get discouraged!