About Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is the timeless game of X and O. Place three marks in a row, column or diagonal before your opponent does. Play against a relaxed AI, try to hold a draw against an AI that never makes a mistake, or pass the device to a friend.
The Infinite mode adds a twist: each player can only keep three marks on the board. Place a fourth and your oldest mark disappears, so the game never ends in a draw.
How to play
- You play X and the AI plays O. Players take turns placing one mark.
- Three in a row, column or diagonal wins the round.
- Against the AI, keep winning or drawing rounds to raise your score. One loss ends the run.
Tic-Tac-Toe rules
Two players take turns placing X and O on a 3×3 grid. The first to get three marks in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, wins. If all nine squares fill up without a line, the round is a draw. It is one of the oldest and simplest strategy games, and with perfect play from both sides every game ends in a draw.
How to never lose
- Win if you can. If you have two in a line with the third square empty, take it.
- Block if you must. If your opponent has two in a line, block the third square immediately.
- Create a fork. A fork is a move that makes two winning threats at once. Your opponent can block only one.
- Prevent forks. If your opponent can fork next turn, block that square, or force them to answer a threat of your own.
- Take the centre, then a corner. The centre is part of four lines; corners are part of three; edges only two.
Winning against weaker players
Start in a corner. If your opponent answers anywhere except the centre, you can usually force a win by taking the opposite or adjacent corner and setting up a fork. If they take the centre, play for the opposite corner and wait for a mistake.
Four ways to play
Easy AI leaves openings, perfect for practising forks. Unbeatable plays perfectly: the challenge is to keep drawing round after round. Infinite keeps only your last three marks on the board, so the oldest mark disappears and the game never stalls. 2 Players is for playing with a friend on one device.
Tic-Tac-Toe FAQ
Can you beat the Unbeatable mode?
No. It plays perfectly, so the best possible result is a draw. Your score rises with every round you survive.
Which first move is best?
Against perfect play every first move draws, but a corner gives a less experienced opponent the most chances to go wrong.
Ready for a bigger board? Try Connect Four or Dots and Boxes.
