What it is: Probably the most basic and well-known two-player game on paper. But you probably already knew that, didn’t you?
Best for: 2 players.
What you need: Paper and a pen (or two). Or, really, anything to write with and on (a stick in the stand, a marker and wipe-off board, a sharp stone on a cave wall…you know). And two people.
How to play: We all know how to play, right? Make a grid of nine squares on the paper by drawing two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. One player chooses to be X and one chooses to be O. Players take turns drawing their letters (X or O) in one of the nine squares. The first player to have three of their letters in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) wins.
Easy, right? In fact, so easy it usually ends in a tie game and is really boring after a while. Except I did have one younger cousin who always managed to beat me…he’s smart, I tell you.
Variations: Okay, so maybe an old-fashioned game of tic-tac-toe just isn’t as exciting as it used to be. But 3-D triple-decker tic-tac-toe? Now that can be pretty fun. Ultimate tic-tac-toe brings even more strategy into the game. And human tic-tac-toe gets you off your feet and running around! Go check them out!