What is Ultimate Tic Tac Toe?

Ultimate Tic Tac Toe (also called Super Tic Tac Toe) is a variant where the board consists of 9 smaller 3x3 Tic Tac Toe boards. Winning a small board claims it as X or O. Win three small boards in a row to win the main game. The catch: your move determines which small board your opponent must play on next.

What happens if I am sent to a won board?

If a player's move sends their opponent to a sub-board that has already been won or is completely filled, that opponent gets a 'free move' and can play in any open cell on any of the active sub-boards.

Ultimate Playable Grid

Play Ultimate Tic Tac Toe

Win three sub-boards in a row. Every cell you play forces where your opponent can play next!

Board Status

Player X Turn

Opponent:

Live Commentary

X can play in any cell on any board to begin the match.

Player X

0

Player O

0

Rules of Ultimate Tic Tac Toe

The 9-Grid Setup

The board consists of 9 small grids arranged in a 3x3 pattern. Winning a small grid puts a giant X or O over it on the macro grid.

The Sending Rule

Whichever index cell you select inside a sub-grid directs your opponent to play inside the corresponding sub-grid of that index next. For example, if you place your mark in the top-right cell of a sub-grid, your opponent MUST make their next move in the top-right sub-grid.

Drawn or Won Sub-boards

If you are sent to a sub-board that has already been won or is completely filled, you receive a 'Free Move'. You can click any open cell in *any* available sub-board on the table.

Visual Play Guide & Walkthroughs

Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe is won on the macro scale, but built on micro-tactics. Study these visual examples to understand sub-board captures and active positioning.

1. Sub-Board Capture

Aligning 3 cells inside a sub-board captures that grid space for the macro board.

2. Global Board Win

Win three macro sub-boards in a row (diagonal, row, or column) to win the entire game.

3. Beginner Blunder

Sending an opponent to a sub-board they already captured grants them a "Free Move" elsewhere!

Walkthrough: How the Sending Rule Operates

Step 1: Player X plays in the top-left sub-board. They place their mark in the bottom-right cell of that board.
Step 2: Because X targeted the bottom-right index, Player O is forced to make their next move inside the bottom-right sub-board.
Step 3: If O then plays in the center cell of that bottom-right board, Player X is redirected back to the center sub-board.

Test Your Skills: Sending Rule Challenge

Can you calculate the correct active grid? Answer the question below to verify your understanding of the sending rule.