Noughts and Crosses

Won 0, drawn 0, lost 0

Mitsy plays

Mitsy's honey jar

0 of 10 spoonfuls

Win a game and Mitsy gets some honey.

Handbook and rules

Game guide and details

Everything you need to know about Noughts and Crosses.

About Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses is the pencil-and-paper classic, played on a three by three board. You are the crosses and Mitsy plays the noughts. Whoever lines up three in a row first wins. In some places it is called tic-tac-toe.

There is no clock, and a game takes about a minute. Mitsy can play gently, and sometimes picks a square at random, or thoughtfully, when he plays carefully every time.

  • Quick game
  • Free to play
  • Phone, tablet and computer

How to play

  1. Tap any empty square to place your cross. You go first.
  2. Mitsy takes a moment, then places a nought.
  3. Take turns. Three of your marks in a row, across, down or corner to corner, wins.
  4. If the board fills up with no line, it is a draw.
  5. On a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and press Enter, or press a number from 1 to 9.

Mitsy's cosy tips

Friendly hints for Noughts and Crosses

  • Taking the centre square gives you the most chances to make a line.
  • Look for two ways to win at once. Mitsy can only block one.
  • Always check whether Mitsy is about to make a line before you start your own.
  • Mitsy's tip: against thoughtful Mitsy, a draw is a good result.

Frequently asked questions

Simple answers for a calm play session

Can I beat thoughtful Mitsy?

Not if he never slips, so a draw is the best you can do. Gentle Mitsy sometimes makes a mistake, which gives you a chance to win.

How does the honey work?

A win gives three spoonfuls. A draw gives two on the thoughtful level and one on the gentle level. If Mitsy wins there is no honey, only a sweet and another go. Ten spoonfuls fill his jar.

Is my record saved?

Yes, on this device only. Your scores and honey stay in your browser, and nothing is sent to us.

Do I need to download anything or sign up?

No. It runs in your browser, with no accounts.

Is this the same as tic-tac-toe?

Yes. Noughts and crosses and tic-tac-toe are the same game, with the same rules, on a three by three board.

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