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Four in a Row

Drop discs and line up four before the computer does.

Your moveMove 1

Tap a column to drop a disc. Keys: 1 to 7, or arrows and Enter.

How to play Four in a Row

Goal

Get four of your discs in a row.

  1. 1Players take turns dropping a disc into a column.
  2. 2Discs fall to the lowest open space.
  3. 3Four in a row across, up or diagonally wins.
  4. 4If the board fills with no winner, it is a draw.

On a computer

Click any column, or press 1 to 7

On a phone

Tap any column

Play Four in a Row free against a smart computer or a friend. Drop discs and line up four to win in this Connect 4 style strategy game.

Four in a Row tips and strategy

  • Take the center column early. It is part of more possible lines of four than any other column.
  • Always check whether your opponent has three in a row with an open space before you move.
  • Build threats that need two different moves to block. Your opponent can only block one.
  • Watch the row below an empty space. You can only win in a space once the space under it is filled.
  • Avoid filling a space that lets your opponent drop into a winning spot right on top of it.
  • Against the computer, set up two threats on different rows. Stacked threats are the strongest.

About Four in a Row

Four in a Row is a two player strategy game on a seven column, six row board. Players take turns dropping discs into a column, and each disc falls to the lowest open space. The first player to line up four discs across, up and down, or diagonally wins.

Drop disc games like this were sold as boxed games in the 1970s, most famously as Connect Four, and are now a classic for families. Researchers have shown that with perfect play the first player can always win, which shows how much strategy hides in its simple rules. Our free version lets you play a friend on one device or take on a computer opponent that looks several moves ahead.

It is a quick game, usually a few minutes, that teaches you to think about threats and blocks. It works on phones and computers in any browser.

Four in a Row is also a great way to teach kids to think ahead, because every move can create or block a threat. Playing the computer is a good way to practice, since it will punish any open three you leave behind.

Four in a Row FAQ

Who wins Four in a Row with perfect play?

Studies of the game have shown the first player can force a win by starting in the center column, but that needs perfect play.

What is the best first move in Four in a Row?

The center column is the strongest opening because it connects to the most possible lines.

Can I play Four in a Row with a friend on one device?

Yes. Choose 2 Players and take turns tapping columns on the same phone or computer.

How long does a game take?

Most games last three to five minutes. The board has 42 spaces, so even a long game is quick.

How hard is the computer?

It looks several moves ahead, so it blocks obvious threats and takes winning moves. Setting up two threats at once is the best way to beat it.

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