Paper strategy
Noughts and Crosses: Pair Challenge
Take turns marking a three-by-three grid. Play a short match, swap who starts, and discuss a move before trying again.
No reading required once the marks and goal are explained.
Download the host card PDFBring to the table
- Paper and two pencils, or the on-screen practice board
Set up
- Draw two vertical and two horizontal lines to make nine spaces. One player uses X and the other O.
- Choose who starts and agree to switch the starting player for the next game. Keep one mark in each occupied space.
How to play
- Players alternate placing one mark in an empty space. A placed mark stays where it is.
- Three of your marks in one row, column or diagonal wins immediately. If all nine spaces fill without a line, the game is a draw.
- Record the outcome and switch the starting player. After two games, a group can rotate partners without ranking players who have played different numbers of games.
Recognising the diagonal
If X occupies the top-left, center and bottom-right spaces, X has won even if the bottom row is incomplete. If a square already contains O, X must choose an empty square rather than overwrite it.
Try a practice board
This board is shared by two players on this device. X starts each fresh board; swap which person plays X to alternate the first turn.
Your three-part session
Preview all the prompts here. The host controls the pace and can repeat, skip or shorten a part to suit the group.
1. Learn the grid
Play one game and check all rows, columns and diagonals after each move.
2. Swap the first turn
Start a new grid. The other player goes first; discuss a possible immediate win or block before placing a mark.
3. Explain a choice
Play a third game if both players want to. Pause once and explain which line a proposed move helps or blocks.
Host one part at a time
Use this on the host’s screen. It keeps the current instruction visible while your group plays.
Learn the grid
Play one game and check all rows, columns and diagonals after each move.
Swap the first turn
Start a new grid. The other player goes first; discuss a possible immediate win or block before placing a mark.
Explain a choice
Play a third game if both players want to. Pause once and explain which line a proposed move helps or blocks.
Ready when your group is.
Offer more support
Point out all eight possible winning lines before play. Let a child say or point to a space while an adult marks it.
Add a challenge
Try to notice a move that creates two possible winning lines. A draw can be a successful defensive result for both players.
If something goes wrong
If a winning line was overlooked, stop at the first established win and begin a fresh grid. Agree to check after every move to avoid disputes.
Finish together
Count wins and draws separately and switch who starts. Ask each player to explain one defensive move.