Tic-Tac-Toe Dice Game
This tic tac toe dice game is not the pencil-and-paper board. You and Alden each have a 3×4 grid numbered down the columns. Roll two dice, cross out unmarked numbers that add up to the total, and try to finish a row of three or a column of four before Alden does.
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Rules and help
How to play Tic-Tac-Toe Dice
Each side has the same grid, numbered down the columns (1–4, 5–8, 9–12). On a turn, roll two fair six-sided dice once. Choose any nonempty set of your unmarked numbers that adds up to the full dice sum, then confirm to cross them out for good. You may not reuse a number, and you may not treat either die as its own target—only the sum counts.
Forced passes
If no unmarked subset equals the roll, the game explains the miss and you pass automatically. Otherwise you must make a legal selection before the turn ends.
Winning a round
The first player to complete a horizontal row of three or a vertical column of four wins the round at once. Diagonals do not win. The winner takes zero penalty; the other player adds the sum of the numbers still unmarked on their own grid. A round that leaves both sides unable to make any future roll ends with each side taking their unmarked sum.
The match
A match is five rounds. Grids reset each round. Who starts alternates; the first starter is chosen at random. Lowest cumulative penalty wins the match. Equal totals are a draw.
Alden
Alden uses the same dice and the same move rules. He takes an immediate winning set when one exists; otherwise he weighs progress toward finishing lines and how many future rolls stay playable. Ties among equal choices are broken at random. Dice are never fixed, and he does not see future rolls.
Using this game
Press Roll, tap numbers on your grid, then Confirm. Clear drops the current selection. With a keyboard, keys 1–9 choose those cells, 0 chooses 10, - chooses 11, and = chooses 12. Space or Enter rolls, and confirms when the selection matches, unless a button or the menu has focus. Escape or C clears. Win counts stay on this device.
Tips
- Aim at one row or one column early; scattered marks leave a high leftover penalty if Alden finishes first.
- When the single face of the sum is gone, look for two- and three-number mixes—the roll still has to be spent in full.
- Leaving awkward leftovers such as a lone 1 can force endless passes; clear low numbers when a roll allows.
- A round win is worth more than saving a few points on your own grid—take the finishing set when you see it.
Playing on a phone or tablet
Tap numbers on your grid to build a set that matches the roll, then tap Confirm. Roll, Clear, and Confirm stay in place. Alden shows his roll and chosen numbers briefly before the turn passes.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this the same as ordinary tic-tac-toe?
- No. Each player has a numbered dice grid. You cross out sums from your own board. Rows of three and columns of four win a round; there are no diagonals and no shared board.
- Can I cross out one die by itself?
- No. Only the sum of both dice counts. If you roll 1 and 2, you must spend 3 in full—crossing out only the 2 is not allowed, even when 1 is already gone.
- How does Alden choose?
- He lists every legal subset for the roll, takes a set that finishes a line when one exists, and otherwise scores progress toward lines and future playable rolls. Equal scores are broken at random.
- How is the match scored?
- Five rounds. The round winner adds 0; the other adds the sum of unmarked numbers on their grid. Lowest total after five rounds wins. Equal totals draw.