[java] Algorithm for Determining Tic Tac Toe Game Over

How about a following approach for 9 slots? Declare 9 integer variables for a 3x3 matrix (a1,a2....a9) where a1,a2,a3 represent row-1 and a1,a4,a7 would form column-1 (you get the idea). Use '1' to indicate Player-1 and '2' to indicate Player-2.

There are 8 possible win combinations: Win-1: a1+a2+a3 (answer could be 3 or 6 based on which player won) Win-2: a4+a5+a6 Win-3: a7+a8+a9 Win-4: a1+a4+a7 .... Win-7: a1+a5+a9 Win-8: a3+a5+a7

Now we know that if player one crosses a1 then we need to reevaluate sum of 3 variables: Win-1, Win-4 and Win-7. Whichever 'Win-?' variables reaches 3 or 6 first wins the game. If Win-1 variable reaches 6 first then Player-2 wins.

I do understand that this solution is not scalable easily.