Strategy Guides
Connect Four Strategy: How to Win More Often
Connect Four is a solved game, and the ideas behind it are easy to learn. Master the centre, the 7-trap and the odd-even rule.
· 6 min read
Board
Connect Four online
Drop discs and line up four in a row before your rival does.
2 players
Connect Four guide
Drop discs into the 7×6 grid and connect four in a row before your rival does.
What is Connect Four?
Connect Four is a two-player strategy game where players take turns dropping discs into a 7-column, 6-row grid, and the first to line up four discs in a row wins. On DD Games you can play it free in your browser against a bot (Easy, Medium, Hard or Auto), pass one device between two players, or play online.
Connect Four looks simple, but gravity makes it a real strategy game: every disc falls to the lowest empty slot, so each move also decides which square becomes available to your opponent next. It is often called four in a row, and a game rarely lasts more than a few minutes, which makes it ideal for quick rematches.
On DD Games you can practise against a bot, play pass-and-play on one phone or laptop, or play online. Easy drops discs at random, Medium always takes a winning move, blocks yours and avoids handing you a win, and Hard searches six moves ahead. Auto starts you on Medium and moves the level up or down as your results change. Online, tap Play online to be matched with someone, or choose With friends and share a room code.
How to play Connect Four
- Choose vs Bot (Easy, Medium, Hard or Auto), Same device for pass and play, or Online.
- Players take turns dropping one disc into any of the seven columns.
- The disc falls to the lowest empty slot in that column, stacking on top of earlier discs.
- Connect four of your discs horizontally, vertically or diagonally to win.
- If all 42 slots fill with no line of four, the game is a draw. Press Play Again for a rematch.
Rules
- The grid is 7 columns wide and 6 rows tall, 42 slots in total.
- You must drop a disc on your turn, and you can only choose the column, not the row.
- A full column cannot be played; choose another column.
- Four or more connected discs of one colour win the game instantly.
- A full board with no line of four is a draw.
- Against the bot, the first move alternates between rounds, and changing the difficulty starts a new round.
Tips and strategy
- Control the centre column: it is part of more winning lines than any other column.
- Before you drop a disc, check the slot above it: you might be giving your opponent the square they need.
- Build two threats at once, such as a horizontal and a diagonal sharing one empty slot, so a single block cannot stop both.
- Stack threats on top of each other so that any block opens the winning slot right above it.
- Count odd and even rows: the first player usually wants threats on odd rows, the second player on even rows.
- Medium never misses a one-move win or block, so plan two moves ahead to beat it.
Questions
How do I play Connect 4 online with friends?
Choose With friends to create a private room and send the room code to your friend. Play online matches you with another waiting player instead.
Can I play Connect Four against the computer?
Yes. vs Bot offers Easy, Medium and Hard, plus Auto, which adjusts the level to how you have been doing.
How many discs do you need to win Connect Four?
Four of your discs in an unbroken horizontal, vertical or diagonal line win the game.
Is Connect Four a solved game?
Yes. With perfect play the first player can always force a win by starting in the centre column, so the centre is the strongest first move.
What is the best strategy to win Connect 4?
Take the centre, avoid filling the slot under a square your opponent needs, and aim to create two threats at once so one block cannot stop you.
Is Connect 4 free to play here?
Yes. It is free, runs in the browser on phone or computer with no download, and you can play as a guest.
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