How to Play Tic Tac Toe

      If you haven't already figured it out I love to play a ton of different articulation games with my students. I find that just drilling my elementary students can be a little much for some of them that age. I also get a little bored if every time an articulation student comes in and I play Go Fish with an articulation deck. Maybe that's just me, but sometimes I have about 40% of my caseload doing articulation therapy. 


    For those of you who haven't played tic tac toe in awhile it is a very simple game. There are 9 boxes and 3 boxes in a row making a 3 by 3 grid. It is a 2 player game. One player is given the O markers and the other player is given the X markers. The object of the game is to get 3 X's or 3 O's in a row. The row can be made horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. You can use your markers to block someone from getting 3 in a row if it is your turn. If no one gets 3 in a row it is called a "Cat's Game". Are you sitting there wondering why is it called a cat's game?! Well I was too! I just looked it up and the best answers I'm finding say that it is called a cat's game, because it is like when a cat chases its own tail. A cat can't actually win the game of trying to catch its own tail. I guess that makes sense. :) 

Here are the 3 ways to win Tic Tac Toe.

Horizontally 3 X's in a row.

Vertically 3 X's in a row.

Diagonally 3 X's in a row. This can go in either diagonal direction.

Here is a pic of all 3 ways to win tic tac toe (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).

Directions and X's and O's.


How to play Tic Tac Toe Visuals!

First set up the game with the board and one player with the X markers and the other player with the O markers.

Play 1

Here is an example of what the 1st play could look like. In this case the X player place their first marker in the center spot.

Play 2

Next it is the O players turn. In this case the O player went in the top left spot to block one of the diagonal wins.

Play 3

Then it is the X players turn again. In this case the X player put their marker in the bottom left spot hoping to get 3 in a row diagonally.

Play 4

Then it is the O players turn again. In this case the O player does not see the possible 3 in a row diagonally and places their O in the top center spot hoping to get 3 in a row horizontally.

Play 5

Next it is the X players turn again. In this case the X player puts their marker in the right top spot making 3 in a row diagonally for the win.

This is just an example of what could happen in a game. Hopefully it gives you an idea of the whole process. 

Articulation Tic Tac Toe Game

I created a tic tac toe articulation bundle with the following articulation sounds.

/b, p, t, d, f, v, k, g, m, n, j, w, y, h, r, l, s, z, sh, ch, th,r-blends, l-blends, & s-blends/

If you'd like to purchase this bundle click here!

Articulation Tic Tac Toe ALL SOUNDS Bundle!

Enjoy!