How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2023)

Download Article

Explore this Article

parts

1Learning Basic Strategies

2Using Advanced Tactics

Other Sections

VideoWATCH NOW

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2022ReferencesTested

Download Article

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Connect 4 is a two-player strategy game that can be played on a computer or with a board and disks. The board is made up of horizontal and vertical columns that contain slots, and each player takes turns dropping their disks into the slots. The object of the game is to match four of your disks in a connected line, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. While this may seem like a simple task, there is a lot of strategy involved, and learning the different techniques and tactics can help you win the game more often.

Things You Should Know

  • Actively block your opponent's opportunities to get 4 in a row and never fill a slot that sets your opponent up to win the game.
  • Be strategic. Try to think multiple moves ahead and when your opponent messes up, take advantage of their error.
  • Keep practicing and master advanced strategies like, for instance, the "7 trap."

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Learning Basic Strategies

  1. 1

    Control the center. One basic strategy for Connect 4 is to have disks in the middle, because this opens up the most opportunities for you to make connections. Because there are an odd number of columns, having disks in the middle means you can make connections in any direction.[1][2]

    If you are player one, put your first disk in the very bottom center slot. If you're player one or two, try to get as many disks into the center column as possible.

  2. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (4)

    2

    Plan multiple moves in advance. Just like in chess, moves in Connect 4 can force you or your opponent to make a reactionary move to block a win. Situations like this can be used to your advantage, so it’s important when you're planning a move to think ahead about how your opponent will react.[3]

    • For instance, if you want to ensure you get the chance to put a disk in a particular slot, you can set yourself up for a possible win somewhere else on the board. Then, your opponent will be forced to block your win, leaving your next move free to fill the slot you were initially after.
    • Similarly, before you make a move, look at how it could impact your opponent positively. You don’t want to make a move that will set your opponent up to win, so think ahead about how your opponent will be able to use your move.

    Advertisement

  3. (Video) How to Win at Connect 4

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    3

    Block your opponent. A very basic strategy of any game is that if you don’t want to lose, you must prevent your opponent from winning. In Connect 4, this means defending against your opponent’s tactics and placing your disks in the open spots that would allow them to complete a four-disk connection.[4]

    • When possible, prevent your opponent from making a three-disk connection, because this means they are one connection away from winning.
    • Moreover, preventing three-disk connections will also prevent your opponent from setting a trap for you, which is when a game can be won in multiple directions but only blocked from one.
  4. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    4

    Take advantage of your opponent’s mistakes. In Connect 4, a mistake is failing to block an opponent’s moves, thereby allowing the opponent to win. To prevent this, you have to pay attention to the board and the implications of each move so you can take advantage of mistakes.[5][6]

    For instance, if you have three disks lined up in a horizontal line and your opponent doesn’t put a disk on top to block you, your next move will be to take advantage of the open slot and complete your four-disk connection to win.

  5. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (7)

    5

    Play offensively. While it’s important to play defensively and block your opponent, to win at Connect 4 you must also establish connections with your own disks. You can do this by:[7]

    • Building rows outward in a horizontal fashion.
    • Stacking disks on top of each other to form vertical connections.
    • Using your disks and your opponent’s disks to make diagonal connections with your rows and columns.
    • When possible, place your disks in slots that will create multiple connection possibilities. For instance, if you have disks that are separated by a column or row, find an intermediate slot that will connect the disks and give you opportunities in a diagonal and horizontal or vertical direction.[8]
  6. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (8)

    6

    Don’t fill a slot under a game-ending move. In Connect 4, a threat is an empty space adjacent to a three-disk connection that could win the game. Sometimes, these threats can't be used because there are open spaces around them, and you should avoid filling these spaces with your disks, because this could lead to your opponent making a game-ending move.

    • Similarly, if you're trying to set up a win but need the space below your threat filled, don’t fill it with your own disk, or your opponent could block your win.
  7. Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Using Advanced Tactics

  1. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (9)

    1

    Practice. There are over four trillion ways that any game of Connect 4 can play out, and this means it’s impossible to memorize the right move in any given scenario. However, practicing will improve your strategy skills and your ability to plan and react to certain moves.[9][10]

    There are many online and computer games that you can play, or you can study particular boards to help you practice your strategy.[11]

  2. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (10)

    2

    Set up a multi-directional attack. This is when you position your disks so that you have a three-disk connection that could be expanded to a connect-four in multiple directions, meaning your end-game move could be in one of several slots.[12]

    • When this happens, you put your opponent in a position where only one direction can be blocked, leaving the others direction free for your end-game move.
    • This method does require planning, and sometimes depends on your opponent making a mistake or not noticing that you're setting up a trap.
  3. How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (11)

    3

    Make a “7 trap.” A 7 trap is a name for a very specific strategic move where you position your disks in a configuration that resembles a 7, with three horizontal disks connected to two diagonal disks branching off from the rightmost horizontal disk. [13]

    • The 7 can actually be configured in any way, including right way, backwards, upside down, or even upside down and backwards.
    • This disk formation is a good strategy because it gives you multiple directions in which you can make a connect-four.
  4. 4

    Build a septuplet attack. The septuplet attack is similar to the multi-directional attack, but on a much larger scale. As the name suggests, this strategy sets you up to win in one of seven directions. To execute it, you need to create a very specific configuration with your disks, and will need to control:[14]

    • The bottom center disk.
    • On the second row from the bottom, the slots one in from either side.
    • On the third row from the bottom, the three center slots (in a horizontal configuration).
    • On the center column, the fourth and fifth slots up from the bottom.
  5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    Can you win Connect 4 diagonally?

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (13)

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (14)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    You can win Connect Four by connecting all four of your colored checkers in a diagonal line.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 41Helpful 34

  • Question

    Can a Connect 4 game end in a tie?

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Yes, it is possible for a game of Connect 4 to end in a tie. This will occur where neither player has been able to connect four checkers in a row and the whole Connect 4 board is full.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 18Helpful 34

  • Question

    How do you win 4 in a row?

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    To win 4 in a row, you need to match four of your disks in a connected line, which can be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal. There are various strategies to win 4 in a row, the steps above explain some of the best ones to try.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    (Video) How to Play Connect 4

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 24Helpful 18

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisement

      (Video) How to Make Out

      Video

      By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      More References (5)

      About This Article

      How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (28)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,122,792 times.

      39 votes - 46%

      Co-authors: 38

      Updated: October 25, 2022

      Views:1,122,792

      Article SummaryX

      To win at Connect 4, try to maintain control of the center of the board by planning multiple moves in advance. Pay close attention to your opponent's moves so you can block their attempts to make a Connect 4 and take advantage of any mistakes they make. Play offensively and try tactics like multi-directional attacks to gain control of the board and make a Connect 4! To learn how to make a "7 trap," read on!

      Did this summary help you?

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,122,792 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (29)

        Fabio Delagustavo

        Aug 10, 2016

        "I'm trying to beat a kid at a Connect 4 at a day camp that I'm volunteering with, and he's really good at this..." more

      More reader storiesHide reader stories

      Did this article help you?

      How to Win at Connect 4: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (30)

      Advertisement

      (Video) How to Play Charades

      FAQs

      Is there an algorithm for Connect 4? ›

      The connect 4 playing program uses a minmax algorithm. Every time the computer decides what move to make next, it considers all of its possible moves: The computer then pretends that each of the moves it has considered has actually taken place.

      Is Connect 4 luck or skill? ›

      You need to know the rules, be familiar with the game pieces, and of course, have some know-how. What I've found over the years is that to be a Connect 4 Pro, skill – and I mean real skill – is required. And this type of skill doesn't come from simply reading the game rules and playing a round or 2.

      How many possibilities are there in Connect 4? ›

      Mathematical solution

      One measure of complexity of the Connect Four game is the number of possible games board positions. For classic Connect Four played on a 7-column-wide, 6-row-high grid, there are 4,531,985,219,092 positions for all game boards populated with 0 to 42 pieces.

      What is the best first move in Connect 4? ›

      If you are player one, put your first disk in the very bottom center slot. If you're player one or two, try to get as many disks into the center column as possible. Plan multiple moves in advance. Just like in chess, moves in Connect 4 can force you or your opponent to make a reactionary move to block a win.

      What are the odds of getting a draw in Connect 4? ›

      That is awesome, thanks for sharing! I am kind of surprised the draw percentage is so high, hovering around 0.25%.

      How can I make Connect 4 easier? ›

      Four Ways to Play Connect Four
      1. Use play dough. Push the Connect Four coins into a mound of play dough (or even hide them inside a big ball of home made play dough) so those little fingers really have to pinch and work to pull them out before placing them in the game slots. ...
      2. Use dry rice. ...
      3. Use a pattern. ...
      4. Use one hand.
      10 Sept 2012

      Why is skill better than luck? ›

      SKILL = OBSERVERED OUTCOME – LUCK

      The consequence of our effort, both good and bad, reflect an element without our control ( skill) and an element outside our control ( luck). In that sense, luck is residual. Skill is the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance.

      Who is the best Connect 4 player? ›

      Connect 4. Current ranking
      PlacePlayerCurrent
      1phoenix723433
      2supercaru2682
      3malparit2603
      4grisperla2369
      38 more rows

      Does a square win in Connect 4? ›

      A winner is declared when one player gets four of their colored checkers in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Other configurations, such as squares, don't count as winning combinations. The game is declared a stalemate or tie if all the pieces are played but nobody has four in a row.

      Can you get 5 Connect 4? ›

      There are three ways to get four checkers in a row in Connect Four: horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Some versions of Connect Four have an additional game where you attach an extra column to the grid and attempt to get five checkers in row.

      What do blue blockers do in Connect 4? ›

      It includes 4 blue Blocker discs that players can use to block an opponent space or to lift a player checkers to quickly get 4-in-a-row to win. Players can choose to start in the middle or at the edge; to stack discs upwards, horizontally, or diagonally then drop in a blue disc for an unexpected strategy move.

      Can humans play Connect 4 perfectly? ›

      Under the conditions of the question, you can't. Connect 4 is a “strongly solved” game, which means that the result of the game (based on perfect play) has been determined for all positions. The player moving first always wins if they start in the centre column.

      How do you determine who goes first in Connect 4? ›

      The starting player of the first round is chosen randomly, after which the players alternate in who starts.

      What skills are used in Connect 4? ›

      Connect 4
      • Fine motor skills.
      • Visual/perceptual motor skills.
      • Upper extremity strengthening.
      • Crossing midline.
      • Using an involved extremity.
      • Upper extremity range of motion.

      Who is the greatest Connect 4 player? ›

      Connect 4. Current ranking
      PlacePlayerCurrent
      1phoenix723433
      2supercaru2682
      3lunamark2246
      4nemint2105
      30 more rows

      Can a computer always win in Connect 4? ›

      Yes, Connect 4 is a solved game. That means that there is a specific strategy that a player can use to win a round of Connect 4 each and every time. However, the player has to play a 'perfect game' in order to win using that particular strategy.

      What is the fastest game of Connect 4? ›

      The fastest time to complete a giant connect four board by a team of two is 57.27 sec and was achieved by Ruby Fothergill (UK) & Taya Frearson (UK) at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, in Blackpool, UK, on 25 July 2019. The attempt was achieved at a week of record breaking at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

      Videos

      1. Wikihow Review 2021 | How We Can Write Or Post Articles and Videos | Wikihow Tutorial 2021 HINDI
      (Technical Berwal)
      2. wikiHow: How to Take Down a Base in Nerf
      (Beret)
      3. How to Build a Tower of Cards
      (wikiHow)
      4. wikiHow: How to Win a Nerf War
      (Beret)
      5. How to Apply *Mascara Tutorial*
      (Get Long Lashes)
      6. How to Play Dominoes
      (wikiHow)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Horacio Brakus JD

      Last Updated: 09/09/2023

      Views: 6334

      Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

      Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Horacio Brakus JD

      Birthday: 1999-08-21

      Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

      Phone: +5931039998219

      Job: Sales Strategist

      Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

      Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.