Objective

Be the first player to align three of your marks in a single line – this can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Game Modes

• Play Online (Multiplayer): Connect with another player using a 4-digit Game ID. The game creator is 'X', the joiner is 'O'.
• Play Locally (Pass & Play): Two players share the same device, taking turns.

Gameplay Flow

1. Starting the Game: Player 'X' always makes the first move.
2. Placing Marks: Click on any empty square on the 3x3 grid to place your mark.
3. The 6-Mark Limit Rule: The game board has a capacity for a maximum of 6 marks total (up to 3 per player if evenly distributed).
   • When a player makes a move and there are already 6 marks on the board, that player's oldest mark is automatically removed from the board.
   • The new mark is then placed in the selected empty square.
   • Blinking Cue: When there are 6 marks on the board, the current player's oldest mark (the one that will be removed when they place their next mark) will blink slowly as a warning.
4. Winning Condition: The game is won when a player successfully aligns three of their marks in a row.
5. Board Full (Tie & Reset): If all 9 cells become filled (which is possible if the 6-mark limit and removals haven't led to a win for either player), the current round is a tie. The board will then automatically clear itself, and the game continues, starting with the player whose turn it was.

Strategic Tips

• Watch the Blink: Always be aware of which of *your* pieces is blinking when it's your turn and the board has 6 marks. This is the piece you'll lose when you make your next move.
• Anticipate Removals: Plan your moves considering that your older pieces might be removed. Sometimes, you might have to sacrifice a strategic position to place a new, potentially winning or blocking, mark.
• Force Opponent's Hand: If your opponent has a critical piece that is their oldest, and the board has 5 marks (meaning your move will make it 6), their subsequent move (if they have 3 pieces already) will remove *their* oldest piece. Use this to your advantage by carefully timing when you complete the set of 6 marks.
• Dynamic Board: Remember that the board state is constantly changing. A block you place now might not be permanent if that piece is the oldest when it's your turn and 6 marks are on the board.
• Offensive Pressure: Keeping offensive pressure can force your opponent into difficult decisions regarding which pieces they allow to become their "oldest" and thus vulnerable to removal.
• Positional Sacrifice: Sometimes, allowing one of your pieces to be removed can open up a new line for a win in subsequent moves. This is especially true if removing your oldest piece allows you to complete a line with your newer pieces.