Tic-Tac-Toe
In Tic-Tac-Toe you play three in a row against a computer that cannot be beaten. Free, no install, no sign-up. The best you can do is a draw.
In Tic-Tac-Toe, nine squares, two marks, three in a row to win. The computer plays without making mistakes, so the honest goal is to hold it to a draw rather than to hope it slips.
about 13.8 KB
Works offline after the first visit. No install, no sign-up.
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How to play Tic-Tac-Toe
The rules in one line
Take turns placing your mark in an empty square. The first side to get three of its own marks in a row, a column or a diagonal wins, and if all nine squares fill with no line the round is a draw.
You are the crosses and you move first
Going first is a real advantage, and it is the only reason a draw is reachable against a computer that never errs. Playing second against perfect play means losing, so you are not asked to.
The computer does not make mistakes
It looks at every line of play from the current position and picks a move that cannot lose. It is not being difficult for effect — this is simply what the game is once the opponent is competent, which is why the target is a draw.
Take the centre, then watch the corners
The centre square takes part in four possible lines, more than any other square, so it is the strongest opening. After a centre opening, the corners are the squares that decide the round.
A draw is a real result
The game reports a draw as a draw rather than as a loss, and keeps a count of how many rounds you have held. Against perfect play, holding the draw is the win.
Tic-Tac-Toe Tips and Strategy
A draw is the ceiling
The computer searches every reply and never misses, so it cannot be beaten here. Treat a draw as a good result and play each move to avoid losing rather than to chase a win that will not come.
Corners first
A corner belongs to three separate lines, an edge to two and the centre to two as well, but the centre is the square the computer most wants you out of. Opening in a corner keeps the most winning lines available to you.
Answer forks, not threats
A single threat needs one blocking square, but a fork has two and you can only cover one. When the computer has two lines alive at once, block the one that also stops it taking a corner.
Tic-Tac-Toe — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I actually beat the computer?
Not in this version, and it does not pretend otherwise. The computer checks every line of play and never makes a mistake, so a draw is the best available result. That is the honest version of this game rather than an opponent that misses on purpose.
Why does it always take the centre?
Because the centre belongs to four lines instead of two, so it is the strongest square on the board. Any player who understands the game takes it first.
Is there a harder or easier setting?
There is only one setting, and it plays without errors. A setting that deliberately plays badly would be a different game.
Does it need installing or an account?
No. It runs in the browser on a phone, tablet or computer and works offline after the first visit.
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