Tic-Tac-Toe: Rules and How to Play
Tic-Tac-Toe is a two-player game for about 2 minutes. Place X and O on a 3x3 grid; line up three to win. A setting also unlocks Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe. Free, no sign-up.
Setup
- For 2 players. Playing alone, you face the computer.
- The grid has 3x3 (nine) squares. The first player uses X and the second O. The first seat starts; when you play again, the first move switches each game.
- Turn on Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe in the settings to play on nine 3x3 boards arranged into one big 3x3 grid (81 squares).
How to play
- Classic: on your turn, place one mark on any empty square, in any order you like.
- Ultimate: the first move can go anywhere. After that, the position you just played inside its small board sends your opponent to the matching small board next. For example, playing in the top-right square sends them to the top-right small board. If that board is already decided (won or drawn), your opponent may play in any undecided board instead.
- In Ultimate, winning three in a row inside a small board claims it — the matching square on the big board turns your colour, and that small board can no longer be played. If a small board fills with no line of three, it is drawn and closed.
Winning and scoring
- Classic: the first to line up three marks — across, up or diagonally — wins. A full grid with no line is a draw.
- Ultimate: line up three claimed boards on the big grid to win. If every small board is decided with no line on the big grid, the whole game is a draw.
- You may resign at any time; resigning loses the game.
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players (set automatically by the party size) |
| Turn time limit | None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds) |
| If someone drops mid-game | Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place. |
| Draws | In ranked play, a draw counts as halfway between a win and a loss for your rating. |
| Source of the rules | Based on the standard reference rules |
Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)
House rules
Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board typeBoard typeUltimate is played on a big board made of nine small 3×3 boards. Get three in a row on a small board to win it, and win three small boards in a row on the big board to win the game. The square you play in decides which small board your opponent must play in next. Classic often ends in a draw, so Ultimate suits experienced players. | Choose Classic Tic-Tac-Toe or Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe. | Classic | Yes |
| Alternate first move | Switch who goes first (X) after each game. | On | Yes |
Terms
- Small board
- One of the nine 3x3 boards that make up Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe.
- Big board
- The overall 3x3 grid of claimed small boards in Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe.
- Send
- The small board your opponent must play in next, decided by where you just played.
FAQ
Does the first player have an advantage?
Slightly, in Classic mode. When you play again, the first move switches each game.
What happens if I'm sent to a finished board?
If that small board is already decided, you may play in any undecided board instead.
Can a game be drawn?
Yes. In Classic, when the grid fills with no line of three. In Ultimate, when every small board is decided and the big board has no line.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-09-23 · Run by Qdan, Inc.