About Tic Tac Toe
Tic tac toe, also called noughts and crosses or X and O, is one of the first games most of us ever learn, scribbled on the back of a notebook at break time. The board has 3 by 3 squares, one player is X and the other is O, and you take turns placing a mark. The first to line up 3 marks in a row wins.
Here you can play tic tac toe against the computer on two levels. On Easy the computer plays loosely and sometimes misses a chance to win, which is perfect for beginners and little ones. On Hard it thinks through every possible move and never loses, so even a draw is something to be proud of. You can also play a brother, sister or friend on the same device, and the first move swaps every round.
The game teaches you to think before you move, to guess what the other player will do next and to block them in time. The score is kept in the bar at the top for as long as you play, so you can hold a match over several rounds and see who comes out on top.
How to play
- Choose how to play: against the computer on Easy or Hard, or 2 players on one device.
- You play X, and you always go first against the computer.
- Click or tap an empty square to place your mark, then it's the other player's turn.
- Line up 3 of your marks across, down or diagonally to win.
- If every square fills up and nobody has 3 in a row, it's a draw. Press “Play again” for the next round.
Controls
| Keyboard | Number keys 1 to 9 match the number pad on the right of your keyboard (7 8 9 is the top row), or move the yellow square with the arrow keys and press Enter. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Click any empty square to put your mark there. |
| Touch | Tap an empty square. In 2-player mode, pass the phone or tablet back and forth after each move. |
Tips to win
- Start in the middle square: it gives you the most ways to win.
- Before every move, check whether the other player has 2 in a row. If they do, block the third square right away.
- Corners are strong. Taking two opposite corners can set a trap with two ways to win at once.
Tic Tac Toe: questions and answers
Can I beat the computer on Hard?
On Hard the computer plays the best move every time, so the best you can do is a draw. Practise on Easy first, then try to hold the hard computer to a tie.
How do I play tic tac toe with a friend on one phone?
Choose “2 players” on the first screen and take turns tapping the square you want. The bar at the top shows whose turn it is and keeps each player's score.
Is this tic tac toe game free with no download?
Yes, it's completely free and runs straight in the browser on a computer, phone or tablet, with nothing to install and no sign-up.
What age is tic tac toe good for?
It works from about age 4 because the rules are so simple, and it stays fun for grown-ups too, especially when they play with their kids.