Four in a Row
Drop a disc into one of seven columns and it falls to the lowest free place. Line up four of your colour across, up or diagonally before the other player does. A game takes a few minutes and rewards looking one move further than your opponent. Play a house player at Easy, Medium or Hard, or a friend on the same device.
Two players. A game takes 2 to 5 minutes. More board games: Checkers, Reversi, Backgammon, Dominoes, Sea Battle and Ludo are in Yuzool's Board Games too.
How to play Four in a Row
- The board: seven columns, each six places high. It starts empty.
- A turn: choose a column that is not full. Your disc drops to the lowest free place in it.
- Winning: the first player with four discs in a straight line wins. The line can run across, straight up, or along either diagonal.
- A full board: if all 42 places are filled and nobody has four in a line, the game is a draw.
Tap a column, or drag along the top and let go, to drop a disc. On a computer, press 1 to 9 for a column, or use the arrow keys and Enter. The full rules, with worked examples, are in Four in a row strategy.
Winning
| Position | Result |
|---|---|
| Four of your discs in a line across, up or diagonally | You win |
| The board is full with no line of four | A draw |
You can choose to move first or second when you start a new game.
Tips
- Start in the centre column. Every line of four across the board passes through it.
- Look below before you drop. Check what your disc lets the other player do on top of it.
- Make two threats at once. One can be blocked; two cannot.
- Block three in a row early, before both ends are open.
Questions
Is Four in a Row free to play here?
Yes. Four in a Row against the Easy and Medium house players, pass and play for two, the coach, undo and autosave are free, with no ads and no sign-up. Board Games Pro, a one-time $1.99 upgrade for all seven games, adds the Hard players, rule options, full statistics and history, and extra board and piece looks.
Does the computer cheat?
No. Nothing is hidden in this game: the house player sees the same board as you and drops one disc a turn. The Hard player looks many moves ahead and will punish a disc that sets up its win.
Which rules are these?
The standard game: seven columns by six rows, four in a line wins, a full board is a draw. Pro adds larger boards of 8×7 and 9×7, and "Five in a row" on the 9×7 board.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Choose pass and play and take turns on the same screen. A game in progress is saved in this browser on this device.