C4
Connect Four

How to play?

Master the rules and strategies of Connect Four to outsmart your opponents and claim victory.

• Objective

The objective of Connect Four is to be the first player to connect four of your own colored discs in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

• Setup

  • The game board consists of a 6x7 grid, totaling 42 slots.
  • Each player chooses a color and takes turns dropping discs.
Connect Four game board showing the 6-row by 7-column grid structure
The Connect Four board has 6 horizontal rows and 7 vertical columns — 42 slots in total.

Gameplay Rules

Turns

  • Players take turns placing one disc at a time on the top of any column on the board.
  • Once a disc is placed, it drops to the lowest available position within that column.
Connect Four disc dropping to the lowest available slot due to gravity
Discs always fall to the lowest empty slot in a column — gravity is key to Connect Four strategy.

Winning

  • To win, form a continuous line of four of your own discs.
  • The line can be in any direction (up, down, left, right, or diagonal).
Horizontal Connect Four win pattern — four red discs in a row
Horizontal win
Vertical Connect Four win pattern — four red discs stacked in one column
Vertical win
Diagonal Connect Four win pattern — four red discs in a diagonal line
Diagonal win

Strategy & Tactics

🛡️ Blocking Opponent

Pay attention to your opponent's moves and try to block their potential winning combinations while creating your own.

♟️ Strategy

  • Develop a strategy to set up your winning combinations while also blocking your opponent's moves.
  • Pay attention to patterns on the board and anticipate your opponent's next move.
  • Like many strategy games, practice can help you improve your skills and make better decisions.

Game End

Draws

If all 42 slots on the board are filled without a winner, the game ends in a draw or a tie.

Etiquette

Be respectful and follow the rules of the game. Avoid making illegal moves, like trying to place a disc in a full column.

Remember that Connect Four is a game of skill and strategy, so the more you play and practice, the better you'll become at planning your moves and outwitting your opponent.