Tic Tac Toe is the classic three in a row game, played by two people on a 3x3 grid where one side marks Xs and the other marks Os. Its ancestor is the Roman game terni lapilli, and the modern paper version has been a schoolyard staple for well over a century. The rules take seconds to learn, yet the tiny board hides a complete strategy that any player can master with practice.
How to Play Tic Tac Toe: Learn the Rules
Tic Tac Toe is the classic three in a row game, played by two people on a 3x3 grid where one side marks Xs and the other marks Os. Its ancestor is the Roman game terni lapilli, and the modern paper version has been a schoolyard staple for well over a century. The rules take seconds to learn, yet the tiny board hides a complete strategy that any player can master with practice.
Objective
Be the first player to place three of your marks in a straight line. The line can run across a row, down a column, or along either diagonal. If all nine squares fill up without a line, the game is a draw.
Setup
The board is a 3x3 grid of nine empty squares. One player takes X and the other takes O. X always moves first, which is a real advantage, so players usually swap marks between games to keep a series fair.
Gameplay
Players alternate turns. On your turn you place one of your marks in any empty square. Marks are permanent: they are never moved, removed, or captured, so every game lasts at most nine moves. Passing is not allowed, and you must play if a square is free.
Winning
The moment a player completes a line of three, the game ends immediately and that player wins. There are eight possible lines: three rows, three columns, and two diagonals. If the board fills with no line completed, the result is a draw, often called a cat's game.
Objective
Be the first player to place three of your marks in a straight line. The line can run across a row, down a column, or along either diagonal. If all nine squares fill up without a line, the game is a draw.
Setup
The board is a 3x3 grid of nine empty squares. One player takes X and the other takes O. X always moves first, which is a real advantage, so players usually swap marks between games to keep a series fair.
Gameplay
Players alternate turns. On your turn you place one of your marks in any empty square. Marks are permanent: they are never moved, removed, or captured, so every game lasts at most nine moves. Passing is not allowed, and you must play if a square is free.
Winning
The moment a player completes a line of three, the game ends immediately and that player wins. There are eight possible lines: three rows, three columns, and two diagonals. If the board fills with no line completed, the result is a draw, often called a cat's game.
Learn, Play, and Have Fun!
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