About Connect Four

Four in a row is one of the best-known vertical strategy games: a standing grid, two colours of discs, and gravity doing half the work. It is easy to explain in ten seconds and still deep enough that strong players think several moves ahead. You may also know it as 4 in a row, four up or plot four.

This version uses the standard board of 7 columns and 6 rows, giving 42 slots. Red moves first and yellow second. You choose a column and your disc falls to the lowest free slot. Lines of four count horizontally, vertically and on both diagonals, and a full board with no line is a draw. Each move has a 40-second limit.

A typical game takes about three minutes, which makes it a good fit for a quick series against a friend. The bot opponent looks several moves ahead and will punish obvious blunders, but it does slip now and then, so it is a fair sparring partner for learning threats and traps.

How to play Connect Four

The goal is to be the first to line up four of your discs in a row.
Two players take turns on a grid of 7 columns and 6 rows. Red plays first, yellow second.
On your turn, pick any column that is not full. Your disc drops to the lowest empty slot in that column.
Discs stay where they land. You cannot move or remove them, and you cannot skip a turn.
A line of four can run horizontally, vertically or diagonally in either direction.
You have 40 seconds to make each move.
The first player to connect four wins. If all 42 slots fill without a line of four, the game is a draw.

Rules checked against the game on 2026-09-01.

Connect Four tips and strategy

Play the centre column early. A disc in the middle can be part of far more possible lines of four than a disc on the edge.
Before each move, check what your disc makes possible on top of it. Dropping a disc that lets the opponent land on their winning square is the most common way to lose.
Build a double threat: two different squares that would each complete four. Your opponent can only fill one of them.
Three in a row with both ends open on the bottom row wins at once, so block a pair of open-ended discs on the floor before it becomes three.
Count which rows your threats sit on. As the first player, winning squares on odd rows (counting from the bottom) tend to fall to you in the endgame; the second player wants threats on even rows.

Connect Four FAQ

Does the first player always win connect four?

On the standard 7x6 board the game is solved: the first player can force a win by starting in the centre column and playing perfectly. In practice nobody plays perfectly, so the second player wins plenty of games by spotting threats sooner.

What is the best first move in connect four?

The centre column. It is the only opening that keeps the first player's theoretical win, and it gives your disc the most lines to join. Opening on the far left or right is the weakest choice.

Can connect four end in a tie?

Yes. If all 42 slots are filled and neither player has four in a line, the game is declared a draw. It is fairly rare between casual players but happens often when both sides defend carefully.

Do diagonals count in connect four?

They do. Four discs on a diagonal, sloping up to the left or up to the right, win exactly like a horizontal or vertical line. Diagonals are the lines players miss most often, so scan them before every move.

How big is the connect four board?

This game uses the classic size of 7 columns by 6 rows. Each player can place up to 21 discs. The size matters for strategy, because an even number of rows is what creates the odd and even row endgame patterns.

How many players do I need for Connect Four?

Connect Four supports exactly 2 players. If a full table of real people isn't ready when you queue, MultiplayerHub fills the empty seats with bots instantly so the match starts without waiting.

Do I need to download anything or sign up to play Connect Four?

No. Connect Four runs entirely in your browser tab — no app install, no account, no email required. Pick a name and you're matched within seconds.

Is Connect Four really free?

Completely free. Connect Four costs nothing to play and never asks for a card — ads keep the servers running instead.

Can I play Connect Four with a specific friend instead of strangers?

Create a private room from the Connect Four page to get a shareable room code, or enter a code a friend already sent you to jump straight into their table.