How to Play Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe – with Printable
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I am sure you have played tic-tac-toe before. It’s not a new game. But, have you ever played Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe? Â It’s just like the regular tic-tac-toe, but on a larger scale and with a few more challenges to make it interesting!
Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe is a strategic twist on the traditional tic-tac-toe game, played on a 3×3 grid of smaller Tic-Tac-Toe boards.Â
How to Play Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
The Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe rules are fairly simple. The game consists of a large 3×3 grid. Within each cell or big square there is a small square with a smaller 3×3 Tic-Tac-Toe board. Just like the original Tic-Tac-Toe game there are two players, X and O.Â
You can draw the grid fairly easily, but if you want to save time, I have a printable Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe game board for you!Â
Download My Printable Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe Game Now!
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The goal of Ultimate Tic Tac Toe is to win three small boards in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on the large board. Basically you are playing 10 games of tic-tac-toe all at once. That means you have to really use some strategy and think ahead.Â
Rules of the Game:
The first player starts by marking any cell in any of the 9 smaller boards with their X or O.
The opponent’s previous move determines each player’s next move. The position of the move in the small board determines which small board the opponent must play in for their next move. For example, if Player X places their mark in the top right cell of a small board, Player O must play in the top right small board. If that small board is already won or full, the player can choose any cell in any of the remaining small boards.
Winning a Small Board:Â A player wins a small board just like in the traditional game by getting three in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally within that small board. When a small board is won, it is marked as won by that player by writing a large X or O over the top of it.
Winning the Whole Game:Â The game is won by the first player to win three small boards in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally on the large board.
Tied Game: If all small boards are filled and no player has won three in a row, the game is a draw. We used to call it Cats and draw a big C cross out tic-tac-toe boards as kids. I only just learned why. Â Cats cannot catch their own tail, just like nobody can win a tied game. Also Cat is Tac spelled backwards. Cats scratch and it is a “scratch” game.Â
Example of Game:
1. Player X starts the game by marking the center cell of the center small board.
2. Player O now has to play in the center small board. Player O draws their O in the top left cell of the center small board.
3. Player X must now play in the top left small board. Player X marks theirs in the bottom right cell of the top left small board.
4. Player O now has to play in the bottom right small board, and so on until the last move.
Strategy to Consider:
Forcing Moves: Try to place your mark in such a way that forces your opponent into a less advantageous small board.
Blocking Wins: Pay attention to both the small boards and the larger board to block your opponent from winning.
Dual Threats: Create opportunities where you can win in two ways, forcing your opponent to only block one.
Educational Benefits of the Game
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Strategy: You really have to plan ahead in Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe. Players need to think several moves ahead, considering the results of each move on both the small and large boards. You have to develop strategies and consider what the other player might do. Â Each move requires you to think about the best possible placement to help you win.
Mathematical and Logical Skills: This game teaches pattern recognition. It teaches spatial awareness as players try to visualize the moves across the whole board. It also builds skills of evaluating probability and outcomes.
Concentration, Focus & Discipline: The game requires sustained attention and focus, helping to improve concentration. Â It also helps players learn to be patient as they wait to make the right move.Â
Sportsmanship & Turn-Taking: Playing the game can teach valuable lessons in sportsmanship, such as how to win gracefully and lose with dignity. They are also gaining an understanding of taking turns and playing fairly.Â
This game can be used in the classroom to teach any of these skills. It is also great for homeschoolers or for group activities. Add it to your classroom or lesson planning when you need a time filler of a team learning opportunity.Â
It’s great for kids of all ages, but the strategy in this game is best for kids ages eight and up. Middle school and high school kids also really enjoy this one. It gives them a little nostalgia for the simpler games of tic tac toe they played as young children.Â
The History of Tic-Tac-Toe
We can’t end this without a little bit about the history of the game! Â I could not find the origin of Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe. It was likely developed in more recent years to add complexity to the original game. But the classic tic-tac-toe game has been around for a very long time. In fact, it is ancient. It was originally called Noughts and Crosses. Â Variations of this game have been played for centuries!
A game similar to Tic-Tac-Toe was found on roofing tiles in Ancient Egypt dating back to 1300 BC.
The game “Terni Lapilli,” played around the first century BC in Rome. Â It had quite similar rules to Tic-Tac-Toe.
In the Middle Ages, the game as we know it evolved and spread across Europe.
See More of My Paper Games for Kids:
Array Multiplication Grid Game with Graph Paper
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