Four in a Row
Drop your discs. Get four in a line to win.
How to play Four in a Row
Four in a Row is played on an upright grid of seven columns and six rows. Two players take turns dropping one disc at a time into any column that is not yet full. The disc falls straight down to the lowest empty space in that column.
Goal
Be the first player to make an unbroken line of four of your own discs — horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Turn by turn
- Choose a column and drop one disc into it. On this site, tap or click anywhere in the column.
- The disc lands on top of whatever is already in that column.
- Play passes to your opponent. There are no captures and discs never move once placed.
End of the game
The game ends the moment someone connects four. If all 42 spaces fill up with no line of four, the game is a draw.
Strategy tips
- Own the centre column. The middle column is part of more possible lines of four than any other, so opening there is the strongest start.
- Build threats that stack. A threat is three in a line with the fourth space empty. Two threats in the same column, one directly above the other, usually win the game by force.
- Watch the space under a threat. If your opponent's winning square sits one row above an empty space, never fill that space yourself — you would hand them the win.
- Count odd and even rows. The first player benefits from threats on odd rows (1, 3, 5 counting from the bottom); the second player from even rows. Late in the game this decides who is forced to give way.
- Block early, not late. An open two in a row on the bottom can become a double threat quickly. Break it up before it gets there.
Four in a Row FAQ
Is Four in a Row the same game as Connect Four?
Yes, it is the same classic game. Connect Four is a trademarked brand name; the game itself — dropping discs into a 7×6 grid to line up four — is widely known as Four in a Row.
Can the first player always win?
With perfect play on the standard 7×6 board, the first player can force a win by starting in the centre column. In practice, people make mistakes long before that matters, so both sides have plenty of chances.
How strong is the computer?
Easy makes frequent loose moves and is a good start for kids. Medium looks a few moves ahead and blocks most threats. Hard searches deep and will punish small mistakes.
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. Choose “2 Players” and pass the device back and forth. The game shows whose turn it is above the board.
