Dooz is what Iranians call tic-tac-toe, also known at home as "X O". A three-by-three grid, two marks and one goal: three in a line. The simplicity is deceptive; a player who knows where to start and how to set up two threats at once almost never loses. To keep it fresh, Hamdor also has a bigger 5×5 board where you need four in a row.
In Hamdor you can play dooz online against real players, open a private room for a friend, practise offline against a bot, or play two people on one phone.
How to play Tic-Tac-Toe
- Dooz is for two players, X and O. Who moves first is drawn at random.
- On your turn, place one mark on any empty square. Marks never move once placed.
- On the classic 3×3 board, the first to line up three marks in a row, column or diagonal wins.
- On the 5×5 board you need four in a line, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
- If the board fills up with no line, the game is a draw.
These are the exact rules Hamdor plays by; the app shows them too, under each game's How to play tab.
Two boards for dooz
- Classic 3×3: the familiar game, quick and short.
- 5×5, four in a row: more room to plan, and longer games.
- A bot you can beat: on 3×3 Hamdor's bot plays well most of the time but now and then slips; learn to build forks and you can punish those slips.
Tic-Tac-Toe modes in Hamdor
- Classic 3×3
- 5×5, four in a row
Tips to win at tic-tac-toe
- Start in the centre or a corner. On 3×3 the centre lies on four lines and each corner on three; edge squares are on only two.
- Answer a corner with the centre. Reply to an opening corner anywhere else and a good opponent can force a win.
- Build a fork. Most wins come from one move that creates two threats at once; your opponent can only block one.
- Block first, then attack. Before every move, check whether your opponent has two in a line with an empty square.
- On 5×5, own the middle. Three in a row in the middle of a line with both ends open gives two winning squares, and only one can be blocked.
- A draw is a result. With perfect play classic dooz is always a draw, so play not to lose and wait for your opponent's mistake.
Tic-Tac-Toe in Hamdor
- Online, ranked: play real opponents and earn a rating. If nobody turns up within a few seconds, a bot takes the seat and is labelled as a bot.
- Private rooms: create a room, send the code to your friends and chat with stickers and reactions while you play.
- Bots: play offline against bots, to practise or when nobody is online.
- Two on one phone: pass the phone and play face to face.
- Stats and streaks: your win rate, best winning streak and this game's leaderboard.
- Your own look: change how the table and pieces look in the Hamdor shop. It is cosmetic only and never affects who wins.
Tic-Tac-Toe FAQ
How do I play tic-tac-toe online with a friend?
Create a private room in Hamdor and send the code, or play two people on one phone.
Can you always win at tic-tac-toe?
No. On 3×3, perfect play by both sides is a draw. You win by punishing a mistake with a fork.
What is 5×5 dooz?
A bigger board where you need four in a line. Games last longer and planning matters more.
Can I play dooz offline?
Yes, against a bot or two people on one phone. Online play needs a connection.