It’s official.
With remote and hybrid work becoming more common, companies need creative ways to build camaraderie and collaboration among distributed teams.
Ultimate tic-tac-toe is an exciting team game that can bring coworkers together through friendly competition and strategy.
In this guide, we’ll explore why ultimate tic-tac-toe for teams in the workplace matters and provide tips on how to play this fun game.
What is Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe?
Ultimate tic-tac-toe is a complex version of the classic tic-tac-toe game.
It is played on a large 3×3 grid that contains 9 smaller tic-tac-toe boards.
Teams take turns placing X’s and O’s on the smaller boards, with the goal of getting 3 in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
The twist is that where you can place your X or O is determined by where your opponent placed their last move.
This adds an extra layer of strategy to the familiar game.
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Who is Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe For?
Ultimate tic-tac-toe is a great game for teams of any size.
You can have small teams of 2-4 players, or larger teams if you want to rotate players in and out.
It works well for remote teams who want to connect virtually, as well as in-person teams looking for some friendly competition.
The game appeals most to those who enjoy logical thinking, workshop ideas, and strategy.
What You Need to Play
To play ultimate tic-tac-toe, you need:
- At least 2 players or 2 teams
- A 3×3 grid drawn on a whiteboard or large sheet of paper
- Markers for each team (2 colors, like blue and red)
How to Play Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
- Divide into 2 teams and designate which team will be X and O.
- The X team starts by placing an X in any small square on the overall 3×3 grid.
- The O team must now place their O in the small tic-tac-toe board that corresponds to the square where X was placed.
- Teams alternate turns, always playing in the board determined by the opponent’s previous move.
- The goal is to get 3 X’s or O’s in a row in any small board, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, which wins that board.
- The first team to win 3 small boards in a row on the overall 3×3 grid wins the entire game.
Tips for Winning at Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe
Here are some tips to help your team master ultimate tic-tac-toe:
- Think ahead – Have a strategy in mind for your next 2-3 moves. Look for opportunities to block your opponent from getting 3 in a row.
- Prioritize the center board – The center board gives you more options, so try to win this one first.
- Trap your opponent – Force them into a less favorable board where it will be hard for them to get 3 in a row. We hear this from customers that regularly use of our training courses.
- Pay attention to patterns – Notice if your opponent is trying to play corners or edges more. Disrupt their strategy.
For example, if your opponent places an X in the top left corner small board, you could place your O in the center of that board to block them.
Then look for where you can go next to set yourself up for 3 in a row.
Conclusion
Ultimate tic-tac-toe requires focus, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork – skills that directly benefit the workplace.
Playing tic-tac-toe games together helps teams bond and unwind while sharpening their mental skills.
With its layers of strategy in a familiar format, ultimate tic-tac-toe is an engaging game that brings out friendly competition and camaraderie between coworkers.
Try out this exciting team version of a classic game!
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
