Connect 4

How to play Connect 4

Connect 4 is the two-player classic where you take turns dropping discs into a 7-column, 6-row grid. Discs fall to the lowest open slot in the column you pick. The first player to line up four of their own discs in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins. If the grid fills with no four-in-a-row, it's a draw.

Controls

• Click or tap a column — drop your disc into the lowest open slot
• New game — clear the grid and start over

Difficulty

• Easy — shallow look-ahead and the occasional random drop; forgiving.
• Medium — 4-ply minimax; blocks your threats and builds its own.
• Hard — 6-ply minimax with alpha-beta pruning and center weighting.

Tips & strategy

• Own the center column. It runs through more winning lines than any other column — take it early.
• Make double threats. Set up two ways to win at once so a single block can't stop both.
• Watch the odd rows. As the first player, threats that complete on odd rows (1, 3, 5 from the bottom) are especially strong.
• Block before you build. If the AI has three in a row with an open end, stop it before chasing your own line.

About Connect 4

Connect Four was published by Milton Bradley in 1974. It's a "solved" game: with perfect play the first player can always force a win by starting in the center column. The grid here is the standard 7×6.

Frequently asked

How do I play Connect 4? Click or tap a column to drop your disc. First to four in a row wins.

Is Connect 4 free? Yes — no signup, no downloads, no installs.

What's the best opening? The center column — it belongs to the most winning lines.

Does my record save? Yes — your wins, losses, and best streak are stored locally in your browser.

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