How to Play
The board stands upright with seven columns and six rows. You and the computer take turns dropping a disc into a column, and it falls to the lowest empty space. The first to line up four of their own discs in a row wins: across, up and down, or on a diagonal.
Before the game, pick a level and whether you go first. Tap or click anywhere on a column to drop your disc there; with a mouse, your next disc waits above the column you point at. The computer answers after a short pause. When someone wins, the four discs light up.
Rules
- Red always moves first. You play Red when you start and Yellow when the computer does.
- A disc always lands on the lowest free cell of its column. A full column takes no more discs.
- Four of one color in a straight line wins: horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Longer lines count too.
- If all 42 cells fill up with no line of four, the game is a draw.
- Undo takes back your last disc and the computer's reply, as often as you like.
Tips & Strategy
Own the middle
The center column is part of more possible lines than any other. Discs there help across, both diagonals and up and down.
Build two threats at once
One open three is easy to block. Two at the same time, or one the computer can't reach without giving you the cell above it, wins the game.
Look one disc higher
Before you drop, check the cell your disc would make available above it. Filling a column can hand your opponent the space they need.
FAQ
How strong is each level?
Easy takes a win when it sees one and blocks yours, but otherwise drops almost at random. Medium looks three moves ahead. Hard looks up to nine moves ahead, so it rarely misses a trap and sets plenty of its own.
Does going first help?
Yes. The first player has a real edge, and this board size has been worked out completely: with perfect play, the first player can always win by starting in the middle column. Against Hard, going first is your best chance.
Is there a leaderboard?
No, Four in a Row is just for fun. Your games played, won, lost and drawn, and your winning streak, are kept on this device for each level separately.
Can I take a move back?
Yes. Undo removes your last disc and the computer's answer together, so it's your turn again. It works at every level and as many times as you like.
Can I play against a friend?
Not yet: Four in a Row is against the computer only. If you want a game for two people on one screen, Checkers has a two-player mode.