Four in a Row
Free online strategy game · Play the computer · No sign-up
Four in a Row in a nutshell
Four in a Row is a two-player game played on an upright grid of seven columns and six rows. Players take turns dropping a disc into a column, where it falls to the lowest empty space. The first player to make a line of four of their own discs, across, up and down, or diagonally, wins.
- Choose your colour. Each player has discs of one colour. Decide who goes first; on this site you have the red discs with a ring and the computer has gold discs with a star.
- Drop a disc. On your turn, choose any column that is not full and drop one disc into it. It falls to the lowest empty space.
- Take turns. Players take turns, one disc at a time. Once a disc is in, it stays where it landed.
- Make four in a line. The first player with four of their discs in a straight line wins: across, up and down, or diagonally.
At a glance
- Players
- 2 players or you against the computer
- Length
- 5 to 10 minutes per game
- Equipment
- 7 by 6 grid 21 discs each
- Learn it in
- 2 minutes plenty of room for cunning
Four in a Row questions
Who goes first in Four in a Row?
Players agree, or take turns starting. Going first is a real advantage: with perfect play the first player can force a win by starting in the middle column.
Can you win with more than four in a row?
Yes. A line of five or more of your discs also wins, since it contains four in a row.
Is this the same game sold under brand names?
It is the same classic idea. Vertical four-in-a-line games like this one are also known by several brand names, but the rules here are the standard ones: a 7 by 6 grid and four in a line to win.
What is a double threat?
A position where you have two different places that would each complete a line of four. Your opponent can block only one, so you win with the other.
