How to Win at Four in a Row

Four in a Row is a solved game — with perfect play the first player wins by starting in the centre. You don’t need perfect play to win casual games, just a few principles.

Take the centre

The middle column is part of more possible lines of four than any other, so discs there are worth the most. Open in the centre and keep claiming it; the columns next to it are the next best.

Make two threats at once

A single threat (three in a line with the fourth space open) is easy to block. Two threats your opponent can’t block with one disc win the game. Look for moves that extend two lines at the same time.

Don’t fill the square under their threat

If your opponent has a threat waiting on an empty square, don’t drop a disc directly beneath it — that lets them play on top and win. The same works for you: build threats higher up and let your opponent be forced to give you the square below.

The odd/even rule

Count rows from the bottom as 1 to 6. As the board fills, the first player (Coral) is usually able to claim threats on odd rows and the second player (Blue) on even rows. So as Coral, build threats on rows 3 and 5; as Blue, on rows 2, 4 and 6. It’s the reason the Hard computer tends to win long games.

Play Four in a Row now Practice against the computer

How to Win at Four in a Row

Take the centre

Make two threats at once

Don’t fill the square under their threat

The odd/even rule

More strategy guides