How to play Tic-tac-toe

Tic-tac-toe is the first strategy game most of us ever played, on a napkin or a foggy window: two players, a grid of nine squares, X and O. It takes a minute to learn and a minute to play, which makes it just right for a quick game with the grandkids. Play the computer (Hattie) at three levels, pass the phone back and forth, or send a link and play on your own phones.

The rules

• One player is X, the other is O. Take turns marking one empty square.
• Get three of your marks in a row, across, down or corner to corner, and you win the game.
• If all nine squares fill up with no three in a row, the game is a draw.
• X goes first in the first game. After that, whoever went second starts the next game, so both sides get the same chances.

The match

One game goes by fast, so we play a match: the first to win 3 games takes it. In Settings you can choose a single game or a longer match to 5. Draws do not count toward the match.

Tips

• If you can make three in a row, do it. If the other side has two in a row with an open square, block it.
• The middle square is part of four lines, a corner three, an edge only two. Start in the middle or a corner.
• The winning trick is two threats at once: one move that leaves two lines with two of your marks and an open square. Only one can be blocked.
• Against perfect play, every game is a draw. Sharp never loses, so a draw against Sharp is a good result.

Computer levels

Easy often marks a square at random and sometimes forgets to block. Normal takes a win, blocks your two in a row and likes the middle, but does not see two threats at once coming. Sharp plays perfectly and sets traps.

Questions

Is there a daily game? No. With perfect play every game is a draw, so a daily board would give everyone the same result.

Can I play with my grandkids far away? Yes. Choose "Play with friends" and send the link, or read out the four-letter table code. Each of you marks squares on your own screen.

Is it the same as noughts and crosses? Yes. Noughts and crosses is the name used in Britain; the game is the same.