Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe (also called Noughts and Crosses or Xs and Os) is one of the simplest strategy games, dating back to ancient Egypt around 1300 BCE. It's often the first strategy game children learn. With only 255,168 possible games and 26,830 possible positions, it was one of the first games to be completely solved.
Tic-Tac-Toe Rules
The game is played on a 3×3 grid. Two players take turns — one places X, the other places O — in any empty cell.
The first player to get three of their marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line wins. If all nine cells are filled and no one has three in a row, the game is a draw.
Tic-Tac-Toe Strategy & Tips
Take the center if you go first
The center square is the strongest opening move. It's part of 4 possible winning lines (both diagonals, the middle row, and the middle column). Any other opening gives you fewer winning paths.
If they take center, take a corner
When going second against a center opening, a corner is your best response. Taking an edge square (non-corner, non-center) against a center opening gives your opponent a path to a fork — a position where they threaten to win in two places at once.
Create a fork to guarantee a win
A fork is a position where you threaten two winning lines simultaneously. Your opponent can only block one, so you win. After taking the center, look for moves that create two threats at once. This is the key to winning against imperfect play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you always win at Tic-Tac-Toe?
No. With perfect play from both sides, every game of Tic-Tac-Toe ends in a draw. However, if your opponent makes a mistake, you can capitalize on it. The first player (X) has a slight advantage because they move first, but it's not enough to force a win against perfect defense.
What is the best first move in Tic-Tac-Toe?
The center square. It participates in the most winning lines and gives you the best chance to set up a fork. Corners are the second-best opening move. Edge squares (top-middle, left-middle, etc.) are the weakest openings.
Is Tic-Tac-Toe a solved game?
Yes. It's been solved since at least the 1950s — perfect play by both sides always results in a draw. This is one of the simplest solved games and is commonly used to teach game theory and AI programming.