Tic Tac Toe vs Computer
By Duetly Editorial · Published 2026-08-30 · Updated 2026-08-30
Playing the computer is the fastest way to test whether you actually block threats. A friend will eventually be polite. Hard mode will not.
Easy
Easy chooses randomly among empty cells. You should win most games once you know the eight lines. Use it with a child, or when you want to practice finishing a fork you already set up.
Hard
Hard uses minimax. It will take a win on the spot, block your win, and refuse to walk into a fork. The honest goal is a draw. If you win, the implementation has a bug — and our tests exist to keep that from shipping.
A useful drill
- Play five Hard games as X. Count draws.
- Play five Hard games and deliberately open on a side cell. Notice how quickly you are fighting.
- Play Easy and try to win in as few moves as possible by forcing forks.
When the drill is boring, you are ready to play Tic Tac Toe with a friend. People miss blocks. That is the entertainment.