Winning Tic-tac-toe Strategies

Everyone loves the simple game of tic-tac-toe, but it seems like a random game. Actually, its not!

It seems that many disputes can be solved by a simple game...

Now you can win the next tic-tac-toe-off by looking at these 4 easy strategies!

**EDIT** Thanks to kelseymh for pointing this out- you can only win if your opponent makes a mistake. If both players make the best move they can, the game will tie

Ok, so there are 8 possible ways to win. Here they are in the pic below...

I also labeled  each block with a number to make reference easier.

Did you notice that exactly half (4) of the combinations use the block 5? Most people, if starting, will take that block. They figure it gives them the best chance of winning, because it has more possibilities than, say, taking block 1, where you only have 3 possible paths.

So, by taking block 1 you theoretically have the best chance. But any path using block 1 is very easy to stop.

If you take three corners, you have three options. This is my favorite strategy =) and also one of the best

Now I know I said taking the center was bad, but not always. If you use this option make sure to take block 5 first, because thats what your opponent will most likely want.

This gives 3 paths to take, but since you need to pick two that are next to each oher to set this up, your opponent will most likely block one of your options.

These next two are basically the same but flipped. They aren't as good as the first two, because you only get two paths.

I reccomend taking blocks 4 and 8 first because it makes your move less obvious. But if you do that, the other player may take 5.

Now go amaze people with your winner-ness :D