Popular
Connect Four
Connect Four was first sold by Milton Bradley in 1974 and became one of the most popular two-player strategy games worldwide. It's a solved game — the first player can always force a win with perfect play. Despite that, it remains deeply engaging because perfect play requires tracking dozens of threats simultaneously.
Connect Four Rules
The board is a vertical grid with 7 columns and 6 rows. Two players take turns dropping colored discs into any non-full column. The disc falls to the lowest available position in that column.
The first player to get four of their discs in a consecutive line — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins. If the board fills up with no four-in-a-row, the game is a draw.
Connect Four Strategy & Tips
Take the center column
The center column is the most valuable position on the board. A disc in the center participates in the most possible four-in-a-row combinations. If you go first, always play center. If you go second and your opponent doesn't take center, grab it immediately.
Build double threats
The strongest position in Connect Four is a setup where you threaten to win in two places at once. Since your opponent can only block one column per turn, a double threat guarantees a win. Work toward creating two open-ended three-in-a-row lines that share a key square.
Count the rows — odd and even matter
Because discs stack from the bottom, a winning square on an odd row (1, 3, 5 from the bottom) favors the first player, and an even row (2, 4, 6) favors the second player. This is because the first player fills odd-row positions naturally. Use this to plan where your threats land.
Block early, not late
If your opponent gets three in a row with an open end, you often have to play reactively for the rest of the game. Watch for two-in-a-row setups and disrupt them before they become three. It's easier to prevent a threat than to contain one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the first player always win in Connect Four?
Yes, with perfect play. Connect Four was solved in 1988 by Victor Allis, who proved that the first player can always force a win by starting in the center column. In practice, most games between humans are competitive because perfect play is extremely difficult to execute.
Is Connect Four a draw if both players play perfectly?
No — it's a first-player win, not a draw. Unlike Tic-Tac-Toe or Checkers, the first player has a forced winning strategy. However, if the first player doesn't start in the center column, the second player can force a draw.
What is the best first move in Connect Four?
The center column (column 4). It's the only opening move that guarantees a win with perfect play. Columns 3 and 5 lead to a draw with best play. Any other opening column gives the second player a winning advantage.