How to Play Tic Tac Toe: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

Tic-tac-toe is a great game that you can play whenever and wherever you want as long as you have a sheet of paper, a pencil, and a rival. This article will walk you through the game step by step.

What is Tic Tac Toe?

Tic tac toe is a game with a straightforward goal: get three Xs or Os in a row on the large square grid.

Tic tac toe is a fun game for people of all ages, and it can be used as a camp activity, a family festival game, an athletic class activity, and more.

Tic-tac-toe is a zero-sum game, which means that if both players give their all, neither will win.

However, if you learn how to play tic-tac-toe and understand a few simple strategies, you’ll be able to not only play but also win most of the time.

If you want to learn how to play tic-tac-toe, continue reading.

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How to Play Tic Tac Toe

This game is so simple, but it is so enjoyable.

In eleven simple steps, we’ll teach you how to play the game.

1. Make the board

First, you must draw the board, which is a 3 x 3 grid of squares.

This means it’s made up of three columns of three cubes each.

Some people use a 4 x 4 grid, but that is reserved for more seasoned players.

We will concentrate on the 3 x 3 grid here.

2. Allow the First Player to go First

Though the first player customarily goes with “X,” you can permit the first player to choose between “X”s or “O”s.

These symbols will be placed on the table in an attempt to form a row of three. 

If you’re going first, the smartest move is to take a spot in the center.

This increases your chances of winning because you can make a row of three “X”s or “O”s in more combinations (4) than if you chose a different block.

3. Let the Second Player go

After the first player makes his move, the second player should place his logo.

It should be different from the first player’s symbol.

The second player can either try to prevent the first player from forming a row of threes or concentrate on forming their own.

Actually, the player can do both.

4. Make Your Moves

Display different moves until one of the players draws a three-symbol row or until everyone is unable to win.

Tic-tac-toe is won by the first player to draw three of their symbols in a row, whether horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. 

However, if both players use their best tactics, there is a high likelihood that neither player will win.

This is because they would have blocked all of each other’s chances to form a row of three.

5. Continue to Practice

Contrary to popular belief, tic-tac-toe is not a pure chance game.

Some techniques can assist you in improving your expertise and becoming a professional tic-tac-toe player.

If you keep playing, you’ll soon learn all of the ruses to winning every time

Or, at the very least, all of the tricks to never losing. It’s similar to 0’s and x’s.

6. Make an Excellent First Move

If you go first, the best move is to go to the middle.

It is without doubts and uncertainties the best move.

You have the best chance of winning the game if you go in the middle.

And allowing your opponent to go there increases your chances of losing.

If you don’t go to the center, one of the four corners is your best bet.

7. Respond Appropriately

If your opponent does not choose the middle (which a newbie player may not do), you have a good shot at winning.

As a first step, avoid the edges.

The four boxes on the edges are neither the center nor the corners.

You will have the least chance of winning if you come here first.

8. Access Your Opponent’s Move

Follow the strategy of “right, left, above, and below.” This is yet another sure-fire strategy that will assist you in winning the game.

When your opponent makes a mark, try to place your symbol to the right of his.

If you can’t, see if you can position it to the left. If you are unable to do so, move it above your opponent’s symbol.

Finally, if that doesn’t work, try moving your mark below your opponent’s.

This strategy ensures your success in maximizing your position and preventing your opponent from winning.

9. Make Use of the Three-corner Tactic

Another way to win at tic-tac-toe is to place your symbols in three of the four corners of the board.

This increases your chances of getting three in a row by allowing you to create a diagonal row or rows along the sides of the grid.

Of course, this will only work if your rival does not totally stymie you.

10. Play Against a Computer

If you want to improve your tactics and ensure that you never fail to win, it’s best to play as much as possible.

It is better than trying to remember a list of techniques.

You can find computers that can play against you online and will soon be able to play a game that you will never lose.

11. Take it a Step Further

If you feel suffocated by the 3 x 3 board, it may be time to try a 4 x 4 or even a 5 x 5 board.

The larger the board, the larger the row you must create.

For the 4 x 4 board, you must create four symbols in a row.

And for the 5 x 5 board, you must create five symbols in a row, and so on.

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