Play Tic Tac Toe Against the Computer (Can You Actually Beat It?)
Play Tic Tac Toe against the computer online, free, in one tap. How the computer plays, where it slips, and the moves that give you the best chance to win.
Nobody around and you want a quick game? You can play Tic Tac Toe against the computer right now. It's free, there's nothing to download, and you don't need to sign up. Tap Play vs computer and the board is ready in a second.
How the computer plays
Most of the time the computer plays a perfect game. It looks at every way the board could play out and picks the best move. That means it never falls for a simple trap, and it will always block you when you have two in a row. But roughly one move in five, it plays a random square instead. Those slips are your chance. You can't force a win against a perfect player, because Tic Tac Toe is a draw when both sides play it right, so you win by being steady and waiting for the slip.
How to beat it
- Go for a fork. Create two lines that each need one more mark. The computer can only block one. A random slip early on is often all it takes to set this up.
- Open in a corner. There are more ways for the computer to go wrong against a corner opening than against the centre, so you give the random move more chances to hurt it.
- Never skip a block. If the computer has two in a row, close the third square first. Then look for your own line.
- Be patient. If the board is heading for a draw, keep making safe moves. A draw costs you nothing, and each extra move is another chance for a slip.
- Play several games. One draw tells you little. Over ten games you'll see the computer slip, and you'll learn which openings it handles worst.
If you can't win, aim for a draw every time
Drawing against a strong opponent is a real skill. If you're X, take a corner first. If you're O and X opens in a corner, take the centre. If X opens in the centre, take a corner. Get these three replies right and you can't lose. For more on openings, read how to play Tic Tac Toe online.
How to start
- Open the Tic Tac Toe create page.
- Enter a nickname, or leave the default.
- Tap Play vs computer. The game starts straight away.
- Want a rematch? The starting player swaps each time, so you'll get a turn at going first.
Prefer a human opponent? Tap Invite a friend instead and send the code or link. When you're ready for a bigger board, Connect 4 can also be played against the computer.
Questions
- Can I play Tic Tac Toe against the computer online?
- Yes. Create a Tic Tac Toe room and tap Play vs computer. It's free and the game starts immediately.
- Can you beat the computer at Tic Tac Toe?
- Yes, sometimes. It plays well, but it makes a random move about one time in five, so it can be beaten.
- Do I need an account to play against the computer?
- No. There's no sign-up and nothing to install. It runs in your browser.
- Is Tic Tac Toe always a draw?
- With perfect play from both sides, yes. Wins come from mistakes.