Directions to Play Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe is a simple game popular among children.

When you play tic-tac-toe, you're playing a game that may have been around in one form or another since 1,300 B.C. in ancient Egypt. The simplicity of the game makes it perfect for children, while adults can occupy themselves by trying to discover foolproof methods to win every time. The basic idea of the game is that each of the two players attempts to get three of their symbols---either X's or O's---in a row on the grid, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

1. Draw a square of approximately 3 inches by 3 inches on the piece of paper.

2. Draw two vertical lines, each 3 inches high, about an inch apart within the square. This should divide the square into three equal inch-wide vertical columns.

3. Draw two horizontal lines, each 3 inches long, about an inch apart within the square. This should divide the square into nine equal inch-by-inch squares.

4. Decide which of the two players will go first, which player will use X as his or her symbol, and which player will use O.

5. Mark your symbol in one of the boxes if you are the first player. If you are going second, watch while the first person marks her symbol on the grid.

6. Watch while the second player marks his or her symbol on the grid, if you are the first player. If you are going second, mark your symbol in one of the boxes.

7. Continue taking turns, with each person marking his or her symbol in one box on each turn. Whoever gets three of their symbol in a row first wins.

Tips & Warnings

• You can alter the number of squares in the grid to make the game more interesting. For example, you could play on a grid of four squares by four squares or seven squares by seven squares. In these variations, the goal would be to get four symbols or seven symbols in a row rather than just three.

• The grid can be any size you wish; each square does not need to be 1 inch square. Furthermore, it is not necessary to draw a square first; you may simply draw crossing lines. These specific details were provided merely to help you understand how to evenly draw the grid.

References

• RDFoerster.com: Tic Tac Toe

Resources

• Jeff Boulter: Tic Tac Toe