How to Win at Four in a Row: Simple Strategy

Four in a Row is a quick game, but it has deep strategy. The board has seven columns and six rows, discs fall to the lowest free space, and the first to line up four wins. Against the computer on Hard you need more than blocking. These principles explain how strong players create threats their opponent cannot stop.

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Own the middle column

The centre column is part of more possible lines of four than any other column, so discs there do the most work. If you move first, start in the middle. Keep adding discs to the central three columns early in the game, and only use the edge columns when you need to block or set up a specific threat.

Build two threats at once

A single open three is easy to block. The winning idea is to create two different places where one more disc gives you four. Your opponent can only block one of them. Look for discs that belong to two lines at the same time, such as a disc that extends both a row and a diagonal. Diagonals are easy to miss, so check them on every move.

Never play under a threat

Discs stack, so the square directly under an empty winning spot is dangerous. If your rival needs one square to win and you drop a disc just below it, they can play on top and win. Before every move, check whether your disc gives your opponent a square they want. Sometimes the best move is to leave a column alone.

Think about odd and even rows

Late in the game, columns fill up and moves become forced. In general, the player who moves first benefits from threats on odd rows, counting from the bottom, and the second player from threats on even rows. If you create a threat on the right row, the end of the game can force your opponent to give you the winning square.

Block early, not late

Blocking only when your rival has three in a row is often too late, especially if they have a second threat ready. Watch for two discs with open space on both sides, and break those lines before they grow. If the board fills with no winner, the game is a draw, which is still better than a loss on Hard.

Questions

Who moves first?

You move first in the first game, then the first move alternates from game to game. When it is your turn to start, open in the middle column.

How good is the Hard computer?

Hard searches many moves ahead and always takes a win or blocks an immediate threat, so you need double threats to beat it.

How big is the board?

Seven columns and six rows, the classic size for this type of game.

Four in a Row
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