Connect Four
Line up four discs before your rival.
↑ This is Connect Four running right here in your browser — no download needed.
About the game
Connect Four is a two-player drop game: take turns sliding colored discs into a vertical grid, racing to align four of your color horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
How to play
Click a column to drop your disc to the lowest open cell. Block your opponent's three-in-a-rows while building your own.
Tips & strategy
['Control the center columns for the most winning lines.', 'Watch for diagonal threats, not just horizontal ones.', "Set up a 'double threat' so your opponent cannot block both."]
Advanced guide
Win Connect Four with the center and threats. Dominate the middle columns to maximize lines, and aim to create a double threat - two ways to win at once - which your opponent cannot block. Always scan diagonals, where wins are easiest to miss.
History & origins
Published by Milton Bradley in 1974, Connect Four is a classic of combinatorial play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a guaranteed win?
The first player can force a win with perfect play.
What is a double threat?
Two open lines that complete on your next turn, unblockable.
Should I pick the center?
Yes - center columns maximize your connecting options.
How do I defend?
Block any opponent's three-in-a-row immediately.
Does the board fill up?
If neither wins, it ends in a draw when full.
Can the AI be beaten?
Only if it is set below optimal; a perfect AI never loses.
Where can I play Connect Four for free?
Right on this page — Connect Four is embedded above, free, legal, and with no download or sign-up. Play with your keyboard on desktop or touch controls on mobile. Your best score is saved in your browser, so it's still there next time. Every game here is original or open-source, with links that stay valid.