Super Tic-Tac-Toe

Illustrated rules

How to play

Learn Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe in five steps, from your first square to the winning line.

  1. Step 1

    Make the first move

    X starts. Pick any empty square on any of the nine small boards.

    At the start, all nine small boards are open.
  2. Step 2

    Send your opponent to the matching board

    The position of your square decides the position of the next board. If X picks the top-right square, O must play in the top-right board.

    X played the top-right square of the centre board. O goes to the outlined board.
  3. Step 3

    Choose any open board if the target is closed

    A small board closes when someone wins it or it fills up. If your move sends your opponent there, they can choose any open board.

    X has already claimed the top-right board. The other eight boards are open.
  4. Step 4

    Claim a small board

    Get three of your marks in a row, column or diagonal within a small board. That board now counts as one mark on the big board.

    X wins this small board with the top row.
  5. Step 5

    Win the match

    Claim three small boards in a row, column or diagonal on the big board. If every small board closes and neither player has a line, the match is a draw.

    X wins the match by claiming the three boards on the diagonal.

Two ways to think ahead

Check where you’re sending O

Before you play, check whether your chosen square sends your opponent to a board where they can win immediately.

Block the big board

If your opponent has two small boards in a line, pay attention to the third. Winning that board yourself cuts off the line.