Tic Tac Toe

Select the board size in the lobby before entering the queue. Matchmaking pairs the same board size, so both players have the same target. A winning run can appear anywhere on the board; it does not have to span a whole row or touch an edge.

• 3×3 board: connect 3 of your marks.
• 6×6 board: connect 4 of your marks.
• 9×9 board: connect 5 of your marks.
• 11×11 board: connect 6 of your marks.

The first player places the opening mark. Players then alternate, choosing one empty cell on their turn. An occupied cell cannot be replaced, and a move outside the board or out of turn is rejected.

A win is a consecutive run of your own marks horizontally, vertically or along either diagonal. A gap or an opponent's mark breaks a run. If the board fills without a winning run, the match is a draw.

Before placing a mark, check whether either player has an immediate winning cell. Blocking one direction may leave a second line open, so scan rows, columns and both diagonal directions rather than focusing only on your latest move.

On a larger board, count the required consecutive marks instead of the board width. Look for runs that have room to grow and identify where an opponent can interrupt them. A move that creates two separate threats may demand a different response from a single unfinished line.

These are ways to examine the position, not a promise of a win. Your opponent can see the same board and may force a draw or create a stronger threat.

Start each turn by looking for a move that wins immediately. If you have none, check whether the opponent can win next and block that square. Only then look for a move that builds your next threat.

A fork creates two different winning squares. If the opponent cannot win immediately or answer both threats, blocking one leaves the other available. The example below shows the position after X has taken three corners; O has the next move.

On the 3×3 board, careful play from both sides can end in a draw. There is no strategy that guarantees a win against every opponent. On larger boards, look for intersecting lines and open ends using that board’s actual win length; a pattern that wins on 3×3 may be incomplete on 9×9.

The lobby offers realtime staked matches. Wait for the visible-board confirmation, then follow the turn countdown. A timeout or forfeit can lose the stake even when the board position looks favorable.

Check the selected board and coin amount before queueing. A completed win has an 8% fee on the combined pot; a board draw returns each player's stake without a match fee. Read How it works and Responsible play before funding or participating.