About the game
Connect Four is a two-player strategy game played on a 7×6 vertical grid. Players take turns dropping coloured discs into the columns. The first player to connect four discs in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins. Gravity pulls discs to the lowest available position in each column.
Created by Howard Wexler in 1974, Connect Four is a "solved" game — the first player can always win with perfect play. But in practice, almost no one plays perfectly, which means the game is genuinely competitive and full of tactical opportunities.
How to play
- Choose a column and drop your disc. It falls to the lowest empty position.
- Players alternate turns. The goal is to get four of your discs in a row.
- You can win horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in any direction.
- The game is a draw if the board fills up with no winner.
Controls
| Drop disc | Click or tap a column |
Five beginner tips
1. Control the centre
The centre column is involved in the most possible winning lines. Occupying it gives you the most options.
2. Build two at once
Create a position where you have two potential winning lines. Your opponent can only block one.
3. Watch for diagonal threats
Horizontal and vertical lines are easy to see. Diagonal threats are harder to spot — and often game-winners.
4. Don't waste the bottom row
Bottom-row discs are hardest to build on. Save them for necessary blocks, not casual plays.
5. Think one move ahead
Before dropping a disc, ask: "Where will my opponent play next?" If their response wins the game, don't drop there.
Why you'll like it
Connect Four is the perfect mix of simplicity and strategy. Anyone can learn it in thirty seconds, but the tactical depth keeps it interesting for years. The physical satisfaction of dropping a disc into the column is recreated perfectly in this digital version.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play against the computer?
Yes — the AI opponent provides a solid challenge.
Is the game always winnable for the first player?
With perfect play, yes. But in practice, both players make sub-optimal moves, keeping it competitive.
Can two people play on one screen?
Yes — take turns clicking the columns.
Game credit: Open-source Connect Four implementation. MIT licence by bryanbraun.