About Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe takes the game everyone learns as a child and turns it into a real strategy game. The board is a big 3×3 grid, and each of its nine squares contains its own small game of tic-tac-toe. Win a small board and you claim that square of the big grid. Claim three big squares in a row and you win.
The rule that makes it interesting is that you don't choose where to play. The position of your move inside a small board decides which small board your opponent must play in next. Play in the top-right cell of any board, and your opponent is sent to the top-right board. Every move is both an attack and a decision about where your opponent will get to play.
You can play a friend on the same device or play the computer on Normal or Hard, and there is an optional five-minute chess clock for players who want faster, more pressured games.
How to play Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
- Choose 2-Player or play against the AI, set the AI to Normal or Hard, and turn the chess clock on or off in Settings.
- The first player can play anywhere on the board.
- The cell you pick inside a small board sends your opponent to the matching small board on the big grid.
- Get three in a row inside a small board to win that board.
- If you are sent to a board that has already been won or is full, you may play in any open board instead.
- Win three small boards in a row, across, down or diagonally, to win the game.
Controls
| Input | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tap or click a cell | Place your mark |
| Settings | Choose opponent, AI difficulty and chess clock |
Tips and strategy
- Think about where you are sending your opponent before you think about your own board. A move that wins a small board but sends your opponent somewhere they can also win is often a bad trade.
- The centre board is the most valuable because it is part of four winning lines. Try not to hand your opponent easy access to it.
- Sending your opponent to a board that is already decided gives them a free choice anywhere. Avoid doing that unless you have to.
- Sometimes it is worth giving up a small board to keep control of where the game is being played.
- Against the chess clock, keep a little time in reserve for the end of the game, where the decisions are hardest.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I'm sent to a finished board?
If the board you're sent to has already been won or has no empty cells, you can play in any open board.
Can I play against the computer?
Yes. Set the opponent to the AI in Settings and choose Normal or Hard.
What does the chess clock do?
Each player gets five minutes in total for the whole game. Your clock only runs on your turn, and if it reaches zero you lose.
More games you might like
Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe is listed under two player and strategy on our homepage. It is free to play in any modern browser, with no download or account needed. If you enjoyed it, try one of these next: