HT Games
Game Basics
Tic-tac-toe is played on a three-by-three grid. One player draws Xs and the other draws Os in alternating turns. The goal of the game is to be the first player to place three symbols on the three-by-three grid a row. The row might extend along a side, through the middle, or diagonally from one corner to the other. If a match ends in a draw with all squares filled without a definite winner, it is called a "cat&'s game."
Avoid Cat&'s Games
Cat&'s games aren&'t any fun, and one of the most reliable ways to have one is to go first and play your first symbol in the center square. In most cases, this game will consist of your opponent trying to create a row of three with you preventing this from happening with each subsequent turn, inevitably ending in a draw. That being said, one of the easiest ways to prevent this from happening is to go first and play your first symbol elsewhere. If your opponent goes first and plays in the center square, resign yourself to a cat&'s game and just play the game out.
Winning from a Corner
On your first move, play in one corner of the game board. If your opponent plays in any square other than the center, you are guaranteed to win with the right subsequent moves. In the event that your opponent plays in a non-centered square, play your second symbol in an adjacent corner square. Your opponent will try to block you from winning on the side, allowing you to play your third symbol on another corner. Doing so will set up a win on the following turn via two different rows. Unfortunately for your opponent, he will only be able to block one row on his next turn, leading to sweet victory for you.