Probability Challenge

Wild Tic-Tac-Toe

This game is the same as ordinary tic-tac-toe, except that on each turn a player can choose to play an X or an O. You win if you get three X’s in a row, or three O’s in a row.

What move or moves should the first player make so they always win? Show and explain your work to validate your answer.

Related Game:

Same as the above game except that, after the first move, all placements must be made to a space beside the last space occupied. (If no such space exists, the game is a tie.) Example: the second player wins here:

Is there a sure way for the first or second player to win? Show and explain your work to validate your answer.

The Math in This Problem: This variation of Tic-Tac-Toe allows the players to place either an X or an O onto the 3×3 grid. The winner is the first player to complete three X’s or three O’s in a row. This twist to the game really forces you to analyze the grid and your opponent’s potential moves, encouraging you to strategize more than you would have in the original version.