Simultaneous tic-tac-toe rules
Rift & Grid is tic-tac-toe on nine boards. Both players choose a move before the turn resolves. Playing is free, with no account or purchase required.
Start a match
- Open the game using “Play Rift & Grid”.
- Choose “Local 1v1” to share a screen, or “Play vs Bot” to select a difficulty and your symbol.
- Choose a free cell in the active sector. You can change your choice before resolution; using an ability is optional.
- In local mode, switch to the other player using “Player X” or “Player O”. Both choices resolve together once ready.
Simultaneous choices and collisions
Each player plans a cell. Simultaneous means both moves resolve together, not that both people must click at the same instant. On a shared screen, take turns using each player’s view.
Different cells receive X and O. Choosing the same cell without a shield turns it grey: blocked and owned by neither player. If only one player uses Shield, that player wins the cell; if both use Shield, it becomes grey again.
Nine boards and the next sector
Nine sectors each contain nine cells, making 81 cells. Three matching symbols in a line win a sector. A full sector without a winner, or both players completing a winning line in the same turn, is a draw. Finished sectors cannot receive more moves.
Sectors and cells are numbered 0–8, left to right and top to bottom. In the current rule, X’s final cell after any Swap determines the next sector: cell 4 sends the next turn to sector 4. If that sector is finished, players may choose any open sector. The first turn is unrestricted.
Points and the end of a match
- Sub-grid victory = +3 pts
- Sub-grid draw = +1 pt each
- Each meta-board line/diagonal = +5 pts
- 3 personal objectives (8-15 pts each), awarded as soon as completed
Personal objectives are assigned at the start and shown in the player panel.
The match ends once all nine sectors are decided. The highest score wins; equal scores mean a draw. A line on the large board gives a bonus rather than ending the match immediately. After the result, Rematch lets you play again.
Energy and abilities
- +1 energy at the end of a turn where you didn't activate any ability
- +1 bonus energy when you win a sub-grid
- Max energy: 10 • Starting energy: 5
- Shield : Cost 2, CD 3 turns → You win collisions (same cell)
- Swap : Cost 2, CD 4 turns → Swap positions at resolution
- Revelation : Cost 10, CD 5 turns → Reveal an opponent's secret objective
If both players use Swap, the swaps cancel out. Reveal shows one opposing objective that is neither revealed nor completed, if any remain.
Available modes
- Local: two people sharing a screen, switching between X and O views.
- Against the Bot: easy, medium and hard computer opponents; choose X or O.
- Online: create a room or join with its code or shared link. A connection is required; both players must agree to a rematch. There is no ranking or automatic matchmaking.
Share a room code only with intended players. Connection interruptions can disrupt a match.