How to play Tic-tac-toe

The quickest duel in the universe: a 3×3 grid, two marks, and a few seconds per move.

ClassicTwo players1–2 min

Three in a row

X moves first, then the players take turns placing their mark in an empty square.
Three in a row wins: a full row, column or diagonal of your marks.
A full board with no line is a draw.

Three in a row · Step 1 of 8An empty board. X always moves first.

You don't have to fill the board when the result is already clear: the game is drawn as soon as no line can be completed by either player.

A line is still “open” while it holds only one player's marks (or none).
Once every line holds both an X and an O, nobody can win any more — it's a draw on the spot.
Draw offers aren't used in tic-tac-toe: games are too short to need them.

The early draw · Step 1 of 5Four moves in: X holds the centre and a corner, O holds two corners.

Every turn has its own short timer that starts again on each move.

What the lobby offers.

Standard
3×3, three in a row wins.
- Three in a row wins.
- The game is drawn as soon as no line can be completed.

Ready check. Once you're paired, both players confirm they're ready within 30 seconds — otherwise the match is called off and no coins move.
Stakes. In a game for coins, both stakes are locked in escrow before a 5-second countdown. The winner takes the pot; a draw or an aborted game gives both stakes back.
First moves. The clocks don't run until both players have moved once; each player has 30 seconds for their first move. Missing it — or aborting before both have moved — cancels the game: stakes are refunded and nothing is rated.
Resigning. You can resign at any time; your opponent wins.
Disconnections. Lost your connection? You have 30 seconds to come back while your opponent is still there, or you lose by abandonment. Your clock keeps running meanwhile.
Rematch. After the result, if both players ask for a rematch within 60 seconds, a new game starts with the same stake and sides swapped.
Spectators. Anyone can watch live. Logged-in spectators can back a player with coins until the game starts; the winning side's backers share the pot.

Quick match finds you an opponent in seconds — or send a friend a private challenge link.