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How To Never Lose At Tic-Tac-Toe

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You Will Need

  • An opponent
  • A pencil or pen
  • Paper
  1. Step 1

    Draw a tic-tac-toe board

    Draw your tic-tac-toe board on a piece of paper using a pen or pencil. It should have nine squares total, with three on the top, three in the middle, and three on the bottom.

  2. Step 2

    Get the first turn

    Whether you are flipping a coin or throwing dice, you need to win the right to the first move if you don't want to lose the game.

  3. Step 3

    Mark the center square

    Mark the center square with an "X" or an "O." This is the key to guaranteeing you'll never lose in tic-tac-toe when you have the first move.

  4. Tip

    Following this rule will not guarantee you a win. It will guarantee that, even against a tic-tac-toe master, you will never lose.

  5. Step 4

    Go to the right

    After your opponent makes their mark, look to see if there is a square to the right of it available. If so, take it with your next move.

  6. Step 5

    If you can't go right, go left

    If the square to the right isn't available, take the square to the left with your next move.

  7. Step 6

    If you can't go right or left, go above

    If the squares to the right and left are taken, place your next mark above their last mark.

  8. Step 7

    If all else fails, go below

    If the squares to the right and left and above your opponent's last move are taken, choose the square below it.

  9. Step 8

    Repeat

    Repeat the right-left-above-and-below rule for each move you play. Congratulations! You may not win, but you'll never be a loser.

  10. Fact

    In the movie "WarGames," war is averted when the computer is shown that nuclear war, like tic-tac-toe, can not be won.

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