Four in a Row
Take turns dropping pieces into the columns. The first to line up four of their own across, up and down, or diagonally wins.
How to play Four in a Row
How to play
Tap a column, or slide your finger along the board and let go, to drop a piece. It falls to the lowest free spot. You and the computer take turns; you can choose to go first or let the computer start.
How to win
Make a line of four of your pieces: across, up and down, or diagonally. If the board fills up with no line of four, the game is a draw.
Tips
The centre column is part of the most lines, so it's a strong start. Look one row up: before you drop, check that you aren't giving the computer the spot it needs. Two threats at once usually win, because only one can be blocked.
Opponents
Easy plays loosely and often misses your threats. Medium looks five moves ahead. Hard searches as deep as it can in a fraction of a second and rarely misses anything.
Questions
Who wins four in a row with perfect play?
The player who goes first can always force a win on the standard 7 by 6 board by starting in the centre column. That was proved by computer in 1988. Going second against a strong opponent is hard work.
Can I play with the keyboard?
Yes. Click the board, then use the left and right arrows to choose a column and Enter or the down arrow to drop. The number keys 1 to 7 drop straight into that column.
What does the hint do?
It searches ahead for your side, highlights a column and tells you why: it wins, blocks a threat, creates a threat, or avoids giving the computer a winning spot.
What does undo take back?
Your last piece together with the computer's reply, so it's your turn again.
Can two people play four in a row on one device?
Yes. Choose Two players: pink and blue take turns dropping pieces on the same screen, the computer stays out of it, and undo takes back one move.