The kids and I have been playing Tapatan, a three in a row game from the Philippines. It's easy to learn how to play this strategic game for kids (and grown-ups!) and although it looks similar to tic-tac-toe, it is more fun. It is very similar to Nine Holes, but the board is slightly different.
You can even cobble together a DIY version when you are on the go and need a quick distraction. Play with coins and draw a quick board on a piece of paper! I would recommend this game for ages 5 and up, but if younger kids can understand the rules, there is no reason why they can't join in the fun!
Watch this video to see the instructions in action, or scroll down for the written instructions!
What you need:
- Game board. Draw 6 inch square with bisecting lines as shown in the photo above.
- 3 counters per player. You can use coins, beads or pieces from other games (we used backgammon tokens).
Objective:
To be the first player to get 3 in a row (like in tic tac toe). A row can be made horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Rules:
There are two phases to game play. In the "drop phase" players place their pieces on the board. In the move phase, players move their pieces in an attempt to get 3 in a row.
The Drop Phase:
- Players take turns placing their counters on the board on a point until all counters have been placed. This is what you see in the 4 part photo, above.
The Move Phase:
- Once all counters are on the board, players take turns moving their counters from one point at a time in an attempt to get 3 in a row.
- No jumping is allowed.
- Counters can only move to adjacent, empty points.
- The first player to move his counters into a row of 3 is the winner.
TIP: If the same 3 moves are repeated at least twice, a stalemate has been achieved and there is no winner.
Alternative version: instead of moving only to adjacent points on the board, players may move tokens to any available empty spot.
Long-time readers of this blog (you're the best!) know that I rarely take the time to make my DIY crafts beautiful but our original Tapatan game made on a sheet of paper started to become riddled with greasy fingerprints. So I took 10 precious minutes to make a sturdy version. And being the crafty lady that I am (not), I used sophisticated art materials like a Sharpie, a glue stick and cardboard.
Hey, I'm just saying it like it is.
What do you think, will you try this? Or maybe Dara, which another three in a row game?
Other fun abstract strategy games:
- Len Choa: a leopard hunt game from Thailand
- Fox and Geese, a game from Northern Europe
- Pong Hau K'i, a battle game from China
- Five Field Kono, an abstract strategy game from Korea
Darshana says
So in Figure 4, how many places can the red piece that is open move too? Trying to understand what 'no jumping' means, just other pieces or points as well.
Looks like a fun game, can't wait to try it out on my 6yr old. Thanks!
Mom and Kiddo says
Good question. In figure 4 the red player has only one available move. He must move the bottom right piece up one. Unfortunately for him, the white player will then move the bottom middle piece to the bottom right corner and win. Hmmm, I don't think this was a good game for red, at all. 🙂 No jumping means that pieces can only move to adjacent, empty corners (I'll add that clarification to my post, thank you). So in 4, the left two red pieces are stuck. Taking the middle space is the best move, which is why red was not off to a good start in this game!
PragmaticMom says
I love this but I think I need a video to understand how the rules work. Next post, please?!
Mom and Kiddo says
Ooh, a video is a good idea. In the 1-4 photos, red makes the first play. So red put the counter down on the bottom left. Then white captured the center point. So on until all tokens are on the board (fig. 4). Then once the tokens are all played, players take turns moving their counters until someone gets 3 in a row (or a draw is called)
Amy says
This looks so fun! I agree that a video would be awesome!
Mom and Kiddo says
I'm going to try and make one this weekend.
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says
This looks so fun! I think I have it figured it out after reading the previous comments. It's like a twist on tic tac toe! Thanks for sharing on the Sunday Showcase!
Mom and Kiddo says
Hopefully I will have a video, soon! Just as soon as I can get it all figured out! 🙂
maryanne @ mama smiles says
I never heard of this game, but it looks neat. I hope you do get a video made!
Kim @ The Educators' Spin Ont It says
Thank you so much for sharing on the After School Party. We've featured it as part of the homemade Math Games this week. Can't wait to see what you're up to this week.
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks for featuring me. I can't wait to see what I'm up to, too. 🙂
Tulip says
Awesome game! I can't wait to play it with my daughter. She loves games. Thanks for sharing at Mom's Library!
Lisa says
I actually found a free app on my ipad. I played a couple of times with both of my boys and it made perfect sense when playing it on the ipad since it won't let you make moves that are not allowed LOL. I just finished making a bunch of these on poster board and my boys are giving them out for their Valentine's. I used red and purple heart table scatter for the playing pieces 😉
MomandKiddo says
I love the idea of giving them out for Valentine's Day! And thanks for commenting, because it reminded me I still have to make the video!
nik says
this is a great little game! i just made one with my 8 year old daughter and she's been playing with her 6 year old brother (who is much better with spatial games than she is.) they're evenly matched and having a great time. making the gameboard itself was fun too, we used an old painting and drew over it. thanks!
MomandKiddo says
Oh, yay! I'm glad to hear it was tested and approved!!
Rachelle Doorley (@TinkerLabTweets) says
We will definitely be playing this game! I love it.
Susana says
I would like to be able to print these directions without the ads. Would it be possible for you to make a printable .pdf?
Thanks!
Sheryll S. says
My 5-year old grandson picked this up the first time I showed it to him, and we love it. It’s much more interesting than tic tac toe. I think he loves it because he legit beats me more than I beat him!
Erica says
Wonderful! I'm so glad it has been a great way for you to have fun and for him to gain confidence!
Don jessup says
I just read where this game was played in the 3rd or 4th century. Wow!
Try using 4 pieces vs 3.
Parenting Time says
Tapatan is from Indoesia
Erica says
Many cultures have games similar to Tapatan.
Marsha says
Just this week I came across this game. I’ll be trying it out tomorrow during wait time after our Bible story time and activities. We’ve worn out tic-tac-toe.
My question: is there a rule about moving the center piece? It seems that if a player leaves it there the whole time, the game soon becomes a stalemate.
Erica says
There's no rule, but players may find that they'd rather move the piece than endure a stalemate, and they might be forced to move the piece if they have no other moves.