About Four in a Row
Four in a row is a classic board game for two: a standing blue grid with 7 columns and 6 rows, and each player has discs of one colour, red or yellow. On your turn you choose a column and drop a disc in, and it falls to the lowest empty space. The first player to line up 4 discs of their colour wins.
The secret is that a line can go across, up and down, or slanted, which makes it a real thinking and planning game. You have to build your own line while keeping an eye on your rival and blocking them before they reach four. Every disc you drop can also open a new space on top of it for the other player, so it pays to think one move ahead.
You can play the computer on Easy, which is great for beginners, or on Hard, where it looks several moves ahead and shuts down your chances. Want to challenge a brother, sister or friend? Choose 2 players and share the same computer or phone, while the bar at the top keeps the score.
How to play
- Choose to play the computer (Easy or Hard) or 2 players on one device.
- Red goes first. Pick a column with the mouse, your finger or the arrow keys.
- The disc falls to the lowest free space in that column, then it's the other player's turn.
- Line up 4 discs of your colour across, up and down, or slanted to win.
- If the whole board fills up and nobody has 4 in a line, the round is a draw.
Controls
| Keyboard | Left and Right arrows to pick a column, then Enter, Space or the Down arrow to drop your disc. You can also press the column number, 1 to 7. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Move the mouse over the column you want and your disc waits above it. Click to drop it. |
| Touch | Tap any column and the disc drops into it straight away. |
Tips to win
- The middle column is the most important one: most lines of 4 pass through it, so start there.
- Before you drop a disc, ask yourself: does this give my rival a winning spot right on top of it?
- Try to make two threats at once, so your rival can't block both in a single turn.
- Slanted lines are easy to miss, so check them carefully, for you and for your rival.
Four in a Row: questions and answers
How do I play four in a row with a friend?
Choose “2 players” on the first screen. Red goes first, then you take turns dropping discs on the same device. Next round Yellow starts, to keep things fair.
Can I beat the computer on Hard?
Yes. It's strong and always blocks a line of 3, but it isn't perfect. Build two threats at the same time or sneak in a slanted line and you can win.
What age is four in a row good for?
It suits everyone from about 6 up, and adults love it too. Younger players can start on Easy while Hard is a real test for grown-ups, and the game builds logical thinking, planning and pattern spotting.
Does the game work on phones?
Yes, just tap the column you want and the disc drops in. It's light, needs no download and runs on any phone, tablet or computer.