Tic Tac Toe looks simple. But most people play it wrong — they react to their opponent instead of executing a plan. With perfect strategy, you can guarantee you never lose: either you win or you draw. Here's exactly how.
With both players playing perfectly, Tic Tac Toe always ends in a draw. The game is what mathematicians call "solved" — there's a provably optimal move in every position. This is why our Unbeatable AI (which uses the minimax algorithm) cannot be beaten, only tied.
The good news: the strategy is simple enough to memorise in a few minutes.
The center square (position 5 in a 3×3 grid) is part of 4 winning lines: two diagonals, one row and one column. That's more winning paths than any other square. Always take the center if you go first.
If you go second and the opponent takes the center, your best response is a corner. Never play an edge square when the center is taken — corners give you more options.
A fork is when you create two simultaneous threats so your opponent can only block one, and you win with the other.
Center → opposite corner → third corner (not adjacent to opponent). This creates a fork threat on two diagonals. Works against anyone who doesn't play the correct counter.
If your opponent takes center and a corner, they may be setting up a fork. Force them to defend by creating your own threat in a line that doesn't give them their fork. A well-placed edge move as your second play disrupts most fork setups.
Playing edge squares as your opening move. Edges are only in 2 winning lines each (one row + one column). Corners are in 3. Center is in 4. Edge-first openings give you the fewest winning paths.
The AI uses the minimax algorithm — it simulates every possible future game state recursively, scores each outcome (win/loss/draw), and always picks the move leading to the best guaranteed result. Against a perfect minimax AI, you will draw with correct play and lose with any mistake.
Try Easy, Medium or Unbeatable AI — or play vs a friend. Score tracking included.
Play Now →