Setup and opening position
All thirty-six cells begin empty. Before each placement you choose either S or O; the letter stays in that cell even though its visual ownership records who placed it.
SOS
Have the higher score after every cell is filled, counting each distinct three-cell SOS completed during play.
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How to play
Have the higher score after every cell is filled, counting each distinct three-cell SOS completed during play.
- All thirty-six cells begin empty. Before each placement you choose either S or O; the letter stays in that cell even though its visual ownership records who placed it.
- Put the selected letter in any empty cell. Each new horizontal, vertical, or diagonal S-O-S containing that cell scores one point, and scoring lets the same player move again.
- Have the higher score after every cell is filled, counting each distinct three-cell SOS completed during play.
Strategy tips
- Look for moves that complete two crossing SOS lines at once, and distinguish harmless setup letters from placements that give the opponent an immediate scoring reply.
- Letters placed by either player can combine into a scoring SOS, so ignoring the opponent's letters will hide both your opportunities and their next-turn threats.
- On the nearly full grid, enumerate both letter choices for every vacancy because an O can join two outer S letters while an S can finish lines through an existing O.
Complete guide
Rules, scoring, and strategy
SOS is a complete browser implementation with its own versioned rules profile. Place S or O on a six-by-six board, score every new SOS line you complete, and retain the turn after a successful score.
Legal moves and game flow
Put the selected letter in any empty cell. Each new horizontal, vertical, or diagonal S-O-S containing that cell scores one point, and scoring lets the same player move again.
Winning and terminal positions
Have the higher score after every cell is filled, counting each distinct three-cell SOS completed during play. On the nearly full grid, enumerate both letter choices for every vacancy because an O can join two outer S letters while an S can finish lines through an existing O.
Practical strategy
Look for moves that complete two crossing SOS lines at once, and distinguish harmless setup letters from placements that give the opponent an immediate scoring reply. Letters placed by either player can combine into a scoring SOS, so ignoring the opponent's letters will hide both your opportunities and their next-turn threats.
Questions players ask
What is the objective in SOS?
Have the higher score after every cell is filled, counting each distinct three-cell SOS completed during play.
Which moves are legal in SOS?
Put the selected letter in any empty cell. Each new horizontal, vertical, or diagonal S-O-S containing that cell scores one point, and scoring lets the same player move again.
What should I plan first in SOS?
Look for moves that complete two crossing SOS lines at once, and distinguish harmless setup letters from placements that give the opponent an immediate scoring reply.
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