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Quick answer
Four in a Row is a free two-player vertical strategy board game that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Drop discs into a 7-column, 6-row grid and be first to line up four across, down or diagonally.
Four in a Row at a glance
What it is
Two-player vertical strategy board game
Goal
Drop discs into a 7-column, 6-row grid and be first to line up four across, down or diagonally
Modes
Against the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a minimax search) or 2 players on one device
Controls
Tap or click a column, or press 1-7; arrow keys and Enter; undo
Players
1 against the computer, or 2 on one device
Price
Free, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works on
Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser
Against the computer (Beginner, Club, Tactician: minimax search with alpha-beta pruning and piece-square tables) or 2 players on one device; play White or Black
Tap or click a piece, then a highlighted square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
Against the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a minimax search) or 2 players on one device
Tap or click a column, or press 1-7; arrow keys and Enter; undo
The classic vertical strategy game
Four in a Row is played on an upright grid seven columns wide and six rows high. Players take turns dropping a disc into a column, and it falls to the lowest empty space. The first to line up four discs in a row (across, down or diagonally) wins.
How to win more games
Take the centre. Discs in the middle column can join the most lines. Start there and keep building around it.
Make two threats at once. A move that creates two different rows of three cannot be blocked twice. That is how most games are won.
Look under the threat. Before you drop a disc, check whether it lets your opponent play on top of it to complete a line.
Think in rows of three. Count which empty spaces would finish a line for each player; the player who controls more of the lower ones usually wins the endgame.
Three computer levels, or a friend
Easy is relaxed and makes mistakes. Medium never misses a direct win or block. Hard thinks seven moves ahead and punishes loose play. Or pick 2 players and play a friend on the same device.
How to play Four in a Row
1
Drop a disc
Tap or click a column, or press 1 to 7. Your disc falls to the lowest free space in that column.
2
Take turns
Red and Gold take turns. Against the computer you start as Red; in the next game the computer starts.
3
Line up four
Four discs of your colour in a straight line across, up and down, or diagonally wins the game.
4
Block and plan
Watch your opponent's lines and block a row of three before it becomes four. If the grid fills with no line of four, the game is a draw.
Classic 3×3 noughts and crosses with an unbeatable computer, plus Five in a Row on 15×15.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the computer?
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Easy looks only two moves ahead and sometimes plays at random. Medium looks four moves ahead and never misses a direct win or block. Hard searches seven moves deep with alpha-beta pruning and is a tough opponent.
Can two people play on one device?
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Yes. Choose 2 players and pass the phone or share the mouse. Red always starts a two-player game.
Who goes first?
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Against the computer, you play first as Red in your first game, then the start alternates. Moving first is an advantage, so try to win as the second player too.
What is the best opening move?
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The middle column. A disc there takes part in more possible lines of four than any other, which is why strong players and the Hard computer open in the centre.
Can I undo a move?
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Yes. Undo takes back your last move and the computer's reply, so you can try a different idea.
Is my record saved?
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Your wins, losses and draws against each computer level are kept in your browser on this device.
Prefer a solo puzzle?
Sudoku is pure logic with one solution per grid, in four difficulty levels.