How to Play Noughts and Crosses

Tic Tac Toe, also called Noughts and Crosses, is the classic three-in-a-row game. Here are the rules and the simple strategies that stop you from ever losing.

What is Noughts and Crosses?

The board has nine squares in a 3x3 grid. Players take turns placing X or O. The first to get three of their marks in a row, across, down or diagonally, wins. If all nine squares fill up with no row of three, the game is a draw. In our version you play against the computer.

How to play Noughts and Crosses

Click or tap an empty square to place your mark.

Step by step

1. Choose a square to place your first mark.
2. Take turns with the computer.
3. Block the computer whenever it has two in a row.
4. Make three in a row to win.
5. If the board fills with no winner, it is a draw. Start a new game.

Strategy tips to play better

• If you go first, take a corner or the centre. Corners give your opponent the most ways to go wrong.
• Always check for a win first, then check whether you need to block.
• Create a fork: a move that makes two possible winning lines at once, so your opponent can only block one.
• If your opponent takes a corner first, take the centre.
• With perfect play from both sides, Tic Tac Toe always ends in a draw, so a draw against a strong computer is a good result.

What kids learn

• Logical thinking
• Pattern recognition
• Taking turns
• Thinking ahead

For parents and teachers

One of the best first strategy games. Kids from about age 4 learn rules, turn taking and planning, and older kids can learn the fork strategy.