How to Play Connect Four: Rules, Setup, and Winning Strategies

Connect 4 is a two-player strategy game where you take turns dropping checkers into a vertical grid, aiming to get four of your own color in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — before your opponent does.

I played Connect 4 a lot as a kid, and I loved the strategy of planning moves ahead while trying to block my opponent. One memory that really sticks is the sound of all the checkers crashing down when you slide the release lever at the end of the game. When I’d lose, it felt like the board itself was declaring, “Let’s go again!” But when I won, that same sound felt like a little round of applause for victory.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the rules, setup, strategies, and fun variations — plus share printable Four-in-a-Row boards so you can play on paper without the physical game.

Objective

Be the first to connect four of your checkers in a straight line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Number of Players

2 players.

Age

Ages 6+ — younger players can learn quickly, but strategy deepens with age and experience.

Game Length

Usually 5–10 minutes per round.

Skills Learned

• Strategic Thinking – Planning moves ahead and anticipating your opponent’s strategy.
• Pattern Recognition – Spotting opportunities to connect four in multiple directions.
• Blocking – Preventing your opponent from completing four in a row.
• Forward Planning – Setting up two winning moves at once to force a victory.

Why We Like It for Families and Kids

Connect 4 is quick to learn, fast to play, and deeply satisfying. Kids can enjoy it casually, while adults can dive into advanced strategy. The short play time makes it easy to fit in “just one more game” — which often turns into five.

What You Need

• A Connect 4 game set (or a printable Four-in-a-Row board and two sets of colored markers or coins).

Setup

1. Place the game grid upright with the stand attached.
2. Give one player all the checkers of one color and the other player the second color.
3. Make sure the bottom release lever is closed so checkers won’t fall through.

How to Play Connect 4 — Step by Step

1: Grab a friend and a Connect 4 set
This is a two-player game. You’ll need the vertical grid, the stand, and two sets of colored checkers.

2: Determine who goes first
There’s no official method — flip a coin, roll a die, or use our Who Plays First guide and app.

3: Player 1 makes the first move
Drop one of your checkers into any column. It will slide down to the lowest open space.

4: Alternate turns
Players take turns dropping one checker at a time into any open column.

5: Aim for four in a row
Your goal is to be the first to get four of your checkers in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line.

6: Block your opponent
If your opponent is close to connecting four, place a checker to stop them.

7: Win the game
The first player to connect four wins immediately.

8: End the round
Slide the release lever to let the checkers crash down — ready for a rematch.

Rules (Summary)

• Players alternate turns, dropping one checker per turn.
• You may place a checker in any column with space remaining.
• The first to connect four in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins.
• If the grid fills without a winner, the game is a draw.

Variations to Try

• Jumbo Outdoor Versions – Giant Connect 4-style games for backyard fun.
• Alternate Board Sizes – Play on printable grids with more or fewer columns and rows.
• Pop-Out Connect 4 – A variant where you can pop out your own checker from the bottom to change the game state.
• Alternate Names – Sold under many names such as Four in a Row, Up 4 It, and Mega 4 in a Line.
• Time Challenge – Use a timer for each turn to speed up play.

Tips for Winning

• Control the Center Column – It gives more chances to connect in multiple directions.
• Plan Two Moves Ahead – Set traps that force your opponent to block one win, giving you another. One of my favorite tactics as a kid was creating a “fork” — three in a row with open spots on both sides. The opponent could only block one, and I’d take the win on the next turn. Pulling that off always felt amazing.
• Block Early – Don’t wait until your opponent has three in a row — cut them off sooner. I remember the frustration of building a perfect setup, only to have my opponent drop a checker right where I needed it.
• Look for Diagonals – They’re easier to miss and can sneak in a win.
• Don’t Get Tunnel Vision – One of the easiest mistakes to make is focusing so much on your own setup that you forget to watch your opponent’s moves. I’ve had moments where I was excited to finish my plan, only to hear “Connect 4!” from the other side because I missed something obvious.

FAQs

Rules FAQs

Can you win with more than four in a row?
Yes — if you drop a checker and it creates a line longer than four, you still win.

What happens if the board fills up with no winner?
It’s a draw.

Can you skip a turn?
No — you must play one checker on each turn.

Strategy FAQs

Is going first an advantage?
Yes — with perfect play, the first player can always force a win.

Can you win diagonally?
Yes — diagonals are often the most overlooked winning lines.

History FAQs

When was Connect 4 invented?
It was released in 1974 by Milton Bradley, invented by Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin.

Connect 4 Video Tutorial