How to Your Kids Win Tic-Tac-Toe Every Time?

The Tic-Tac-Toe Game is Important for Child Development

Tic tac toe is a classic game. It can be played virtually anywhere and on anything, from a bar napkin to a computer screen to a chic wooden set. The rules are very simple: the player, X, and O take turns marking empty spaces of 3x3 board. The first player gets three of the same symbol in a row in any direction — horizontally vertically, diagonally — wins the game.

Why this game is very important for child development?

Tic-Tac-Toe has been a part of almost everyone’s childhood, but for the wrong reasons. Most adults and children think it’s a simple game to pass the time; that it’s a game similar to what playing on the playground means today — it’s done when the power’s out and there’s nothing else to do.

It is a game with competing goals

When playing a game with only one opponent, your kids ultimately have two goals: to win and not lose. As an adult, you know that the game of tic-tac-toe will result in a draw if you follow a strategy where neither you nor your opponent will win. You’ll think that this is a flawless combination of your two goals. But for children, they go for either and both goals.

The developmental values of the game with a brain

The game of tic-tac-toe is a game of predictability. The moves that are believed to be important are highly predictable. But this predictability is what helps foster strategic thinking in children. They can learn through observation what their opponents’ next move is and think ways on how to block them, a simple but effective version of chess. Which can help your kids in subjects such as math and engineering in the future

Educational games and their effect on spatial ability

By encouraging logical thinking, tic-tac-toe helps children develop their spatial skills. This skill is important for their problem-solving abilities — from everyday simple chores to complex mathematical equations.

How to Your Kids Win Tic-Tac-Toe Every Time?

There are hundreds of ways to lose or tie, but only 8 ways to win. Your Kid is X, I am O. Try to get three in a row.

Does it matter if your kid is “X” or “O”?

Whether your kid is first up or the second one to go, how to win tic tac toe doesn’t depend on your kid’s sequence. So, it doesn’t matter if your kid is the “X” or the “O”.

When your kid goes first

When your kid go first you have the following options.

• Put the first X in a corner.
• Put the first X in a edge.
• Put the first X in a center.

Your kid first X in a corner, opponent’s first O in an edge

In this scenario, your kid put your first X in a corner (any corner) and your opponent chooses to put his first O in an edge (any edge).

Put the second X in the center.

Your kid’s opponent will see that your kid have two X’s in a row and will block your kid.

Put your kid’s third X in line with your kid’s other two X’s.

Now your kid’s opponent can block only one line. Your kid will automatically win with her/his other line.

Your kid’s first X in a corner, opponent’s first O in a corner

In this scenario, after you put your kid’s first X in a corner (any corner), your kid’s opponent puts his first O in another corner (any corner).

Put your kid’s second X in a free corner (any free corner).

Your kid’s opponent will now block your kid’s line.

Of course, your kid will also block his line.

Now your kid’s opponent will block one of your kid’s two lines. And your kid will win with his/her other line.

Your kid’s first X in a corner, opponent’s first O in the center

In this scenario, your kid put his/her first X in a corner and your kid’s opponent responds by putting his first O in the center.

For your kid’s second X, there are only two strategies that can win you the game:

• Putting your kid’s second X in the opposite corner (with the O in the middle.)
• Putting your kid’s second X in an edge that does not touch the first X.

If your kid’s opponent puts his second O in any corner, your kid will win the game. So, here is what will happen in this case.

If he puts his second O in any edge, the game will be a draw.

Your kid put your first X in the center

If your kid put his/her first X in the center, he/she can only win if your kid’s opponent puts his first O in an edge. If he puts his first O in a corner, the game will be a draw.

Put your kid’s second X in a corner. Any corner.

Your kid’s opponent will now block your kid’s line. And your kid can now put his/her third X in the corner that creates two non-blocked lines. The opponent can only block one and your kid are the winner!

Reminder: don’t put your kid’s first X in an edge.

When your kid goes second

For every first move your opponent makes, there is an optimal strategy for defense.

If the Opponent Puts First O in a Corner

If your kid’s opponent begins by putting his first O in the corner because your kid gives the opponent the chance to win using the strategy mentioned in the previous part.

• Don’t put your kid’s first X on an edge
• Don’t put your kid’s first X in a corner.

If your kids put the first X in the center, he can’t win this game but he can force a draw as follows.

• If the opponent puts his second O in the corners or edges near the first O, the game will be a draw.

• If the opponent puts his second O in the opposite corner, your kid puts the second X in any edge, the game will end in a draw.

• If the second O is on an opposite edge, your kid puts the second X as below and then the game will end in a draw, or otherwise, the opponent will win the game.

If the Opponent Puts his First O in an Edge

If your kid’s opponent puts his first O in an edge, your kid’s best strategy would be to put your first X in a corner next to the O.

The Opponent puts his second O in the center

It is very likely that the opponent will put his second O in the center.

And of course, your kid will block him immediately.

Next, there are two possible causes.

• If the opponent chooses the corner next to his first O, then your kid will win the game because your kid’s third X will create two non-blocked lines.

• If the opponent chooses the opposite corner, then your kid can only block him and the game will end in a draw.

The Opponent puts his second O in the opposite edge

In this case, yours kid will win the game.

The Opponent puts his second O in another edge

The opponent chooses another edge for his second O. If your kid goes wrong, it can lead to a victory for the opponent. But your kid can block this tactic with your second X.

If your Opponent Puts the First O in the Center

If the opponent puts his first O in the center, put your kid’s first X in a corner. Your kid will be able to easily block all the opponent’s moves and force a draw.

Easy, right?