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 experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.