Win Tic-Tac-Toe by LOSING?!

Brian and friends discover a winning strategy to Tic-Tac-Toe by turning the rules on their head.
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This episode of Scam School was made by:
Brian Brushwood
Brandt Hughes
Bryce Castillo
Roberto Villegas
Jeff Schuessler
Shot on location at The Rusty Mule in Austin, TX

[@scamschool]

**psst** Are you enjoying Scam School? You've gotta check out our *brand-new series* "The Modern Rogue" at kzbin.info. If you've seen it, reply and tell me what you think. If not, then get on over there. I'll bet you a dollar you love it. -Brian

[@gideon4942]

Scam School Hey, I'm your first replier.

[@julthecat]

2nd is the best

[@Composer_Piggy]

3rd is the one with the hairy chest

[@Vicki16ken23]

Scam School hi

[@jaysbr22]

Vicki16ken23 .

[@MinimalGameGuides]

"so, i win, which means, i lose" yeah sometimes life does that to you...

[@CrossingTheStreetArt]

takes sip of beer and lets a tear drop

[@alexm5748]

Idk why just my brain can't process this 😂

[@adamschneider4143]

To real right now man, too real.

[@nikohobbs3336]

I seriously can't get it to make sense

[@louisegaumond6468]

niko Hobbs You win the game so you lose the girl. Or perhaps it's something like you win the lottery which mess up all your life, friends, family and dreams.

[@Ava-mw5yn]

This should be called tic-tac-tie

[@maruftim]

You mean tie-tac-tic

[@timq6224]

tic-tac-DOH!

[@Pondaz]

I've never been so confused by a game of tic-tac-toe

[@maruftim]

Lol

[@normalminecraftgamer1643]

I just made it 69 likes

[@robertmurray]

Did something similar to this at work for extra food at lunch

[@jahjoeka]

Powdered Toast man I'm so sorry to hear u had to scam people for food even when u have a job. America fucking sucks.

[@Sharkz117]

@@jahjoeka not sure if troll or just stupid. This whole process can be applied to anything, not just drinks at a bar. Same trick, different endgame. It's not because anyone "had" to, but because they wanted to. If both sides give consent, which they had to in order for the scam to even work to begin with, means that even if you removed the scam part of the process, they more than likely would have still been willing. Just like if you're on the receiving end of the scam, just because you were scammed doesn't mean you "had" to, you could have easily just walked away. No one is going to force you to do something you don't want to. This excludes extreme cases, such as hostage situations, by the way, because no sane person would force you to do something if you weren't willing.

[@wolffgang101]

I watched this a couple times and still don't exactly know what the point was

[@alexmontoya3112]

Think of it like this. Instead of trying to just win. You not only play to win but to lose the game as well. People always think that tic tac toe always ends in a stalemate (which for the most part it does... sometimes) but because you change the rules instead of going at each other %50 to %50. You have two ways to win instead of just one. Even if you lose the game you still win because that's not the agreement you had at the beginning. Your opponent has to force a stalemate. GG

[@craigape]

Alex Montoya But under the conditions of the game, if the person trying to tie wins then they lose. The other player could force them to win by not blocking, right? So is the trick that the other player just doesn't catch on at all?

[@Firglin]

No the trick is you can force them to win or lose. You can't force a tie

[@chrism7067]

i dont get whats so hard to grasp, if your goal is to either win or make your opponent win and not allow a tie. Its then impossible for them to actually do a stale mate.

[@chasehansen7445]

The point was an easy way to get quick cash

[@davemartino4953]

When Brian uses Phil's catch phra- Wait a minute...

[@amyrogers7628]

Why wait at all?

[@GrenYT]

LOL. I read this after the episode and was like, that can't be the Phil I am thinking of, now can it?

[@TetrisKing]

Not the Phil I am thinking of either :/

[@arminsantiaguel3434]

Dave Martino heyyy i know that picture lol

[@heidid1624]

I was like LESTER??? And then I realized...😂

[@rob98000]

It's kinda hilarious that during the first game, he had the perfect setup to the instant win, if he had blocked the right one, he would have opened 2 wins

[@Veggieman87]

Such a simple yet brilliant variation on "heads I win, tails you lose"!

[@jesus9719]

I just realized he fixed his hair

[@scamschool]

WELCOME TO 2012!

[@thepolicecarthatalwaysinte7324]

Scam School I don't think that's the correct year.......

[@marzikgaming2335]

Scam School Hmm we must be living in some different dimensions, do you time travel alot? It is common to be stuck in the wrong year.

[@xSLWRTHNUx]

Meaning he changed his 'do in 2012

[@WazupShaul]

Marzik Gaming he obviously is Barry Allen and screwed up the timeline to make it 2012 in an infinite time loop

[@dotChrollo]

Just realized after watching Scam School for upwards of 5 years I forgot to subscribe. No time like the present, eh?

[@scamschool]

while you're at it, hit up kzbin.info!

[@dotChrollo]

Somewhat sad to say i subbed to MR when I found it bahaha

[@vegasnative3710]

dotChrollo lol i do that with other channels

[@mindbreak666]

Been around since at least 2010 and i suscribed today after realizing the same thing. And i was like "what happened with the spiky hair dude?".

[@jamesbarros950]

So glad I found this. I read your correspondence with Teller years ago and it’s inspired me in everything from magic to photography to game design. Seeing you on KZbin and realizing how cool a guy you are makes me incredibly happy. :)

[@BuckleysPants]

This is probably one of the best Scam School episodes ever. It's so simple and it requires no prework, memory skills, slight of hand, or any trickery whatsoever. It's practically impossible to mess this up.

[@alexis898989]

Markiplier really didnt age well hahaha

[@aestethical2221]

alexis898989, surprised he didn't cry for once

[@Deeegenerate]

jeez I thought the same thing btw sry for late reply

[@beefymcskillet5601]

alexis898989 he almost looks like Walter white when he had hair

[@ctno3]

Best scam iv seen in ages love it

[@joebarniak]

this show is my brain exercise to get me thinking differently and challenges me. I thank you very much sir

[@dynamicduo9724]

if some guy comes to you with some tic tac toe board , with some crazy bet , who actually accepts? edit:disthought is Einstein

[@DissectingThoughts]

People who are good sports and have money to spare? People who think bar scams are sufficiently entertaining to be worth the price of a beer?

[@lmva]

Well like yeah, aren't they like a dollar

[@scottmcall2694]

eugune's backpack o

[@ericpuddephatt3435]

drunk people

[@dustine7041]

LiaoM4sta At a bar? Naw $7-10 a pint bruh

[@ollie1055]

Awesome, I can mess with my sister

[@zack1140]

Time lady And a TARDIS Why did I just think of something nasty....

[@ollie1055]

Zack WhoAmI.....why did you say that.......

[@mujibrahman899]

What are people doing to that sister.

[@ollie1055]

Mujib Rahman just stop... please...

[@mujibrahman899]

Ollie 105 I'll show myself the exit.

[@mr-pubg-1083]

So long i havent been on this chanel congrats on 1 million subs

[@JustAGiraffe]

That domain.com ad was nice and to-the-point. I'd like more of those.

[@jetfang8825]

if Pinocchio said "I will now lie" and his nose grows, would he technically be lying?

[@obundeawiwi6668]

Jet Fang wtf

[@jetfang8825]

Fizzy what?

[@Pegasusbs_]

Jet Fang hed get a nosebleed

[@brianmchaney7473]

What if he says "I am about to lie"? If his next statement is a lie, then he was telling the truth before. But if his next statement is actually true, then his previous one was a lie, and his nose should grow. BUT, if his nose grows after he says "I am about to lie." Then he can simply switch his next statement to be a lie and his nose will be wrong..........

[@Zethy]

Jet Fang it will grow sideways

[@firemaker282]

Can you make it harder? Is there a way to always force them to win? So as in ignore the tie but in order to win you have to let your opponent win?

[@TheMusZero]

No, you can't force your opponent to win.

[@ikbeneenvogel6118]

Dillon Highsmith actually you can. I've done the calculations, and by forcing your opponent's moves you can always let your opponent get the 'winning' move. If you go first, you can start manipulating the opponent's placements from the 2nd turn, and keep doing that until you force your opponent to block and create a 3 in a row for themselves in the same turn. If you go second, you can just keep placing your marks on the spots that do not finish a winning pattern, and the person to go first has to fill in the last gap. Sadly I have no mathematical proof for this, but in practice, if you use your brain sufficiently, it always works out.

[@TheMusZero]

Ik Ben Een Vogel no, you can't force the opponent to get three in a row. When both players are trying to get the other player to get three in a row it's called misere tic-tac-toe. With proper play, it's always a draw.

[@ikbeneenvogel6118]

TheMusZero oh yeah you're right I just read that wrong. What I was thinking is that if you play by the set of rules of this video it is always possible to let your opponent get 3 in a row, but when your goal is only to have your opponent make 3 in a row it will indeed usually be a tie.

[@ITJohan]

That interlude with Jeff: Fantastic :D

[@mattlister3713]

Scam School: How to survive liver poisoning from all the beers this channel has won me

[@Jungbeck]

0:35 He could have easily won against Brian in that game if he was smart enough.

[@resnikzan9373]

a few times, actually XD

[@isetmfriendsofire]

It's not too hard to win Tic Tac Toe if you know the tricky moves that make it so you can win 2 ways (and they can only block one)

[@MisaelMatute76]

We Remotely Low Yeah but that is easily blocked if you know the move..

[@Slackow]

MisaelMatute76 not really there is a strategy from the corner where if they don't go in the center you always win.

[@t-yu]

Cowslayer6789 Which is why if you know the move you go in the center

[@isetmfriendsofire]

MisselMatute76 I know multiple, though.

[@jbreiner]

Not only do they need to go in center, but next turn must go next to it and not in corner.

[@camplays487]

I like the way he did the advertisement. Creative.

[@kx7560]

YES!!!!!!! I knew Scam School will never end One day my future grandchildren will watch these scams

[@dakota.2b]

So to win I have to lose? I'm the best in the world then

[@krabbypal5828]

win snake and ladder by LOSING?!

[@cheesecakelasagna]

profile picture checks out.

[@HulkVahkiin]

...This..is brilliant...

[@hendricklamar6558]

Daaaaaamnnnn thats sick!

[@loopy4193]

1:54 does anyone else know what mystery science theatre 3000 is??

[@beefymcskillet5601]

Water Melon no I don’t think it was a episode of mst3k. It was a gag I guess

[@cheesecakelasagna]

commented for future ref

[@SatanistSin]

You've convoluted the move a bit. Example, 6:06 going in the opposite corner ends the game in just one more turn.

[@sabercats15]

Look at the text in the bottom left

[@SatanistSin]

look man, I'm not here to read videos. I barely even read your comment. 😛

[@kaykodes3219]

oml this is genius

[@heathmccall4969]

can't wait to try this at work.

[@Jobofobic]

Wait even if you lose you win

[@alexeydudkin9310]

Jobo yes. the point is to force a draw to win. if you win or loose plaging the regular way its still a loss

[@shackled1502]

OH YEAH YEAH

[@emizerri]

That first one would have probably gotten me too Good video! :D

[@lengthao7652]

what a great way to get your friends super drunk haha

[@tabletoparcade4203]

Brian, you were just as bad in the opening game. If he'd played bottom-right at 0:37 you would've lost

[@timelywings7025]

Don't you mean noughts and crosses? :D

[@tuhunerd]

Dylan Brown no

[@TechSupportDave]

Dylan Brown tic tac toe, naughts and crosses, people call it different things in different places

[@brianmchaney7473]

Exes and ohs.

[@idontneedaname318]

Dylan Brown no. That's british

[@totallynotaliar9912]

Dylan Brown Does this look British to you?

[@drtroyturner7464]

I have a cant lose Checkers Scam. The Volunteer chooses 1. Who goes 1st. 2. Who loses 1st checker (or 2,) and still cant win so long as they take all jumps and the Magician does not have to.

[@Teguanna10]

I AM SHOOK!!!!!!!!!

[@nadarajahyoganathan1024]

What is it with this guy and beer. Jeez .

[@TheRazor124]

This is dumb. "Always win tic tac toe by simply changing the rules"

[@clevernever]

Ray Robinson at least someone here has a brain cheers mate

[@SK0R092]

its just a shitty video he pushed out for ez ad revenue

[@mickee]

@@SK0R092 you guys just don't get it.

[@groszak1]

I know of a game named Felix and Rover where the player to tie (Felix) and the person to win/lose (Rover) compete in a 4×4 board and 4 in a row is a win/lose condition.

[@swordzanderson5352]

'He blocked him!' 'Impossible!!'

[@G-zero07]

First but not first

[@GentsAndGameshub]

Xx808OverdriveXx 5240 Your first not to be first

[@GentsAndGameshub]

Sunwell Cleanser Sad it's the spelling police.

[@GentsAndGameshub]

Sunwell Cleanser Please don't arrest me.

[@GentsAndGameshub]

Sunwell Cleanser Also I'm not gay

[@MrCyanGaming]

No, that doesn't found fair, because you have 2 different ways to win, while they only have 1...

[@McNubbin101]

your missing the point of SCAM school....

[@mintyplays4682]

Have a nice day! SUBSCRIBE TO ME AND LIKE THIS COMMENT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD DAY.

[@mickee]

The way to do it that it sounds favorable to your opponent is to play a couple of games with the original rule. If you are playing with a competent player, you should have several games tied. Seeing that most of your games ended in a draw, your opponent would think he will have a better chance at winning through a draw.

[@WanderingHermitCrab]

I'm definitely gonna try this on my friends. 😂😂😂😂

[@TeamRandom]

haha i like the mystery science theater 3000 reference

[@3seven5seven1nine9]

cringed me into clicking off the video tbh

[@user-25212]

im first

[@CuboidPixel]

The Claw machine turtle so you did

[@MrMaster333]

Amazing!

[@LavanyaDavluri]

so many tic tac toe obvious wins were sabotaged for this video!!

[@nekoexe1a]

Rock paper scissors in "no game, no life"

[@drtroyturner7464]

Thanks guys. For years I struggled with how to ALWAYS win at Checkers. I soon was humbled into learning that Checkers is more like Chess than i imagined and it is more difficult to even get adraw slash atalemate than people might think. Thanks to this trick, the ground rules are if the Chexkers game ends in a draw or I lose, I win. If by some remote chance they can make me win, I lose. To quote you, "How cool is that?".

[@arjen7074]

“Get em drink!”

[@Wonginism]

So basically this game will get you drinks because the person you play against basically can't force a tie but you can force someone to win.

[@shadeydo]

i loved the reference

[@DrHades]

And after you win some drinks you can be like "Ok, since you lost some, you know what? If I make 3 in a row, it means nothing, I win when you win, you win with a tie." You still win 100% games where they start.

[@Sereomontis]

So... If it ends in a tie, you buy me a drink, if it doesn't I buy you one? All you have to do is lose on purpose.

[@AltrTheEgo]

definitely playing this at my end of semester party today

[@pancakeboi2613]

that bell made me jump

[@themacocko6311]

Always start in the corner because it sets you 3 positions to win? Brian, bubby, starting in the middle gives you 4 positions.

[@thatdummguy7097]

aye this was uploaded on my birthday

[@unicorn.mushroom]

This reminds me when I was young and Windows 95/98 came with online multiplayer checkers and I'd play to lose and see how many peeps would catch-on and also play to lose hehe

[@blizand]

First time watching you guys, very nice video, great sound and easy to understand, also i hate tic tac TIE, so this was kinda fun, gonna browse your vid list now, +1

[@db-re3ob]

Man I spent so much time in ISS in highschool that I know the moves to this game inside and out and would beat any of them at their own game..

[@Depierrock]

Mystery Science theater lol nice

[@ExodaCrown]

I thought up one for Tic tac toe a while back. It is set up where you go to them explaining the person who goes first will most likely win the game. You are so confident that in this statement that you set up an absurd condition on yourself. Saying you win the bet in 4 different games you will win at least 3 games, lose 0 games and draw at most 1. You then explain to make sure each game is different neither player is allowed to make the same opening move. For example, in game one you put your x in the top right corner then you are not allowed to play an x in that corner in the other games. This rule is what guarantees you will win at least 3 of the 4 games. So in each game you pick a different corner of the board. Since each one is a different space, even though you are making basically the same opening move. Here how to beat almost any of their opening moves, these moves work for any corner. Move 3 assumes they will block you. These moves can be rotated, but the basic idea is your second move should force them to block so for your third move you can set up a win on the fourth move. For example: 1 _ o | 1 o _ | 1 _ _ | 1_ 3 | 1 _ _ _ _ _ | _ _ _ | _ o _ | _ _ _ | _ 3 o 3 _ 2 | 2 _ 3 | _ _ 2 | 2 _ o | 2 _ _ A side note, the only place the player going second can move without a 100% lost chance is the center. Basically how I set it up with the center example makes it so if their next move is in a corner they lose, otherwise it will most likely be a draw. The rule makes it so they can only place in the center once, thus at most 1 draw. After the fourth game and you win the bet, so you can go to a bonus round for double or nothing. In this game the only condition is neither player can start in a corner for their first move. In this bonus round you can only the game, if you lose or draw they win. 3 o _ 2 1 _ _ _ _

[@WesleyDanken]

Can't believe they just did a reference to mystery science theater 3000

[@flubsdubz6247]

Thanks for giving this new idea for tic tac toe.. Now I can rekt my friends

[@meu02136]

You know you don't have the brightest group when the first move isn't the middle or a corner.

[@imdontaisbrokeheadphones6741]

My friends mom took us to the rusty mule lmao it's kinda lit lowkey

[@thesubwaygodfather8145]

This is like Rock Paper Scissors from no game no life

[@pilzanime8499]

Thats Great!

[@MasterArrow]

Mystery Science Theater reference ftwwww

[@nexus1g]

Thumbs up for the awesome MST3K commercial. I actually watched it!

[@tyshaunwitherspoon484]

I had to remember this for later

[@xaviergeraets146]

Brian I've got a good riddle for you. I can make a fictional dollar disappear. 3 men go to the bar and they drink a couple of bourbon. When the bartender comes over he says: "that'll be 30$". When he goes to his boss the boss says: "but bartender, it was only 25$." The bartender goes back and thinks:"They didn't tip me and I need to spread it over 3 men." So he gives each man 1$ and keeps the other 2$. That makes it so that each man has paid 9 $ which is 27$ plus the 2$ that the bartender has which is 29$. Where did the one dollar go?

[@Slackow]

Honestly this is more interesting than normal tic tac toe

[@jenchino1924]

This actually explained my life pretty much until now.

[@michelvanderlans1443]

It really hurt that he put himself in a losing position in the very first game, and that the other player just gave the win away.

[@rarebeeph1783]

1:02 The correct move for x in this situation is top right corner. Rather than an immediate forced tie, this move would allow your opponent one more chance to make a mistake before the game ends in a tie.

[@ImASimplePotato]

Holy moly, a Mst3k reference in scam school?? I didn't know I could be this giddy :D

[@adamemac]

*BRIAN!* Just a quick note, I got my plasma lighter the other day! Thanks again, man! I really appreciate it. I'm already putting it to good use. : ) oh yea.. if you couldn't tell, I'm adamemac.

[@bryannaing6316]

*I suck at Tic-Tac-Toe so I once proposed a challenge where the goal was to lose. I was so good at losing that I won 4 games of 5 and tied the other one.*

[@earlgraesh5025]

WAIT?!? The Modern Rouge is doing a video with Scam School?! My 2 favourite channels! :D

[@boommcstick1153]

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER!!!!

[@frankwally2476]

This means that the person going for the tie is forced on the defensive, they have to be the one reacting

[@Jubbsi]

*ALRIGHT KZbin I WATCHED IT!*

[@smugwendigo5123]

Mystery science theater 3000!!!!

[@MastaSmack]

Man, this guy has you all writing his shows for free? He is a good scam artist!

[@Hatmaster]

I really like this

[@ScaredHippojr]

Little trick for ttt if you make a triangle shape, I.e have two corners of the same side marked and then the furthest box in the middle you almost always end in a draw

[@biswassudipta05]

ROBOT: Your domain is about to expire please renew or I am going to Destroy you.

[@nightbane727]

Brilliant

[@Jivvi]

Going in the middle at 6:07 set up a win condition while blocking another one. Better move was to go bottom left instead of in the middle; then it's already game over, because whichever side goes in the middle wins. Same deal at 6:15, the bottom middle is already a win condition for O, and then X just blocks it; top middle is better, because then bottom middle is a guaranteed win.

[@billysawicki9412]

My brain hurts