Learn Tic-Tac-Toe: Free Interactive Tutorial
Tic-Tac-Toe takes a minute to learn and a little longer to play well. In six steps on a real board, you win a line, block one and set up a fork.
Step 1 of 6
Nine squares, two players
The board is a 3×3 grid. One player places X marks, the other O, and X always moves first. Players take turns placing one mark on any empty square. You can't pass, and marks never move.
Watch three turns: X, then O, then X.
Start in the centre
You win with three of your marks in a row: across, down or diagonally. Four of the eight lines run through the centre, more than any other square, so it's a strong first move.
Your move
You are X. Place your mark in the centre.
Three in a row wins
The match ends the moment someone completes a line. Both players have two in a row, and it's your turn. When you can win, win.
Your move
You are X. Complete a line of three.
Block a threat
A threat is two marks in a line with the third square empty. Now you play O, and X threatens the diagonal through the centre.
Your move
You are O. Block X's diagonal.
Make two threats at once
A player who always blocks can only be beaten with a fork: one move that makes two threats. The bot blocks one, and you complete the other.
Your move
You are X. Make two threats with one move, then win.
Why so many matches are draws
A full board with no line of three is a draw. Tic-Tac-Toe is solved: if neither player makes a mistake, every match ends this way, so wins come from traps like the fork. This board is full. What is the result?
What you learned
- X moves first, and the players take turns placing one mark.
- Three in a row across, down or along a diagonal wins.
- Win first, then block.
- A fork makes two threats at once.
- Perfect play from both sides ends in a draw.
Take it to the table.
Put what you just read into practice. No sign-up needed.