Home >> Games & Cards >> Games

How to Win Tic Tac Toe if You Don't Go First

Tic Tac Toe is a simple puzzle game dating back to Ancient Egypt. The object of the game is to get three Xs or three Os in a row while blocking the opposing player from getting three in a row. In general, X makes the first move and O goes second. Despite the small size of the board -- three by three squares -- Tic Tac Toe strategy can be quite complex. With some careful planning, you can know exactly how to react to your opponent's moves in order to increase your chances of winning.

Instructions

- 1
  Place your first O in the center of the board. This will give you the most opportunities for making rows of three: two diagonals, one vertical and one horizontal going through the center. If your opponent puts his first X in the center of the board, place your first O in a corner. Avoid the edges, which give you only two opportunities for making a row.
- 2
  Block your opponent from making three in a row. Regardless of where she played her first move, a good player will use her subsequent moves to set up a win. Use your move to block the third space of the row. At the very least, this will set up a draw, where neither player is able to win.
- 3
  Wait for your opponent to make a mistake. If your opponent does not place his X to set up three in a row, use your O to set up three in a row for yourself. Always go for the corners before the edges, since they will leave you another opportunity to win even if your first try gets blocked.

Games