About Four in a Row
Four in a Row is the quick game of dropping coloured discs into an upright grid. Seven columns, six rows: each disc falls to the lowest empty space, and the first player to line up four, across, up and down or diagonally, wins. It takes a minute to learn and much longer to master, because every disc you drop also changes where your opponent can play next. Play the robot at three levels or a friend on one device.
How to play Four in a Row
- Take turns dropping a disc into one of the seven columns; it falls to the lowest empty space.
- Line up four of your discs in a row, across, up and down or diagonally, to win. A full grid with no four is a draw.
- Tap a column (or the arrow above it), or use the left and right arrow keys and Enter. The number keys 1 to 7 drop a disc straight away.
- Red always goes first; choose whether you play first or second. Results are saved on this device.
Tips & strategy
- Start in the middle column: more lines of four pass through it than through any other.
- Look for a spot where one disc makes two threats at once; the robot can only block one of them.
- Before you drop, check the square right above it: playing there may let your opponent win on top.
- Threats on low rows matter most late in the game, when the board fills up and moves are forced.
Four in a Row: questions and answers
How good is the Hard robot?
Very good. It searches many moves ahead, remembers positions it has already worked out, and usually sees right to the end of the game once the board is about half full. Beating it as the second player is a real achievement.
Who goes first?
Red. Choose to play first or second when you start a new game; going first is a small advantage.
Can the first player always win?
With perfect play the first player can force a win by starting in the middle column, but it takes very precise play all game long. Against people and the easier robots, the second player wins plenty of games.
Can I play with someone else?
Yes. Choose 2 players and take turns on the same device.