Introduction
Tic-Tac-What is a creative twist on the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game, designed to add an element of surprise and strategy. Instead of using just X’s and O’s, players incorporate a third symbol, the “What” (often represented by a wildcard like a question mark, star, or another chosen symbol). This addition introduces unpredictability and new winning conditions, making the game more engaging and dynamic. The game can be played on a standard 3×3 grid, though variations may use larger grids for added complexity
How to play
Basic rules
- Players take turns placing their symbol (X, O, or What) in an empty square on the grid.
- The goal is to align three symbols in a row, column, or diagonal, just like in traditional Tic-Tac-Toe, but the What symbol introduces special rules.
The “What” symbol
- The What acts as a wildcard that can count as either an X or an O to complete a line, depending on the player’s goal or the situation.
- For example:
- A line with two X’s and a What can count as three X’s for a win.
- A line with two O’s and a What can count as three O’s.
- A line with three Whats may count as a win for either player or follow a custom rule (e.g., a universal win or a tiebreaker).
Winning conditions
- A player wins by completing a row, column, or diagonal with:
- Three of their own symbols (e.g., XXX or OOO).
- Two of their symbols and a What (e.g., XX? or OO?).
- Three Whats, if agreed as a winning condition.
- If all squares are filled without a winner, the game is a draw, as in classic Tic-Tac-Toe.
