Four In A Row is a classic puzzle game with lots of tricky and competitive gameplay strategies. The player's goal is to try to connect four pieces to win.

Rules of Four In A Row

The game has a vertical grid with 7 columns and 6 rows. Players can choose the color of their pieces; there are many colors, such as red, yellow, blue, pink, purple... Players can choose any color to easily distinguish their pieces from their opponents. Players will take turns dropping their pieces into the columns to start making moves. The goal of each player is to try to be the first to create four consecutive pieces in a horizontal or vertical row of the same color.

Some Basic Tactics

Controlling the Center Column

Why is it Important? The center column (usually the fourth column on a 7-column board) is a prime location because a piece placed there has the potential to join more "fours" than the columns on the edges. Players can create horizontal or vertical rows, but cannot create diagonal rows. Players should prioritize dropping pieces into the middle column if they are the first to go, to create more opportunities later. When you create more paths, you will have more chances to win. Also, don't be so busy finding your own path that you forget to block your opponent's path.

Creating a Double Trap

A double trap is a situation where you simultaneously create two unblocked three-column rows in two different directions (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). When it's your opponent's turn, they can only block one of these rows, and you have the opportunity to complete the "four" in the other row on your next turn.

For example:

Horizontal trap: You have two horizontal "O-O-O" lines separated by one or more empty spaces. Even if your opponent blocks one line, you can still win the other line.
Vertical trap: Similarly, you create two vertical "O-O-O" lines in different columns.
Diagonal trap: Create two diagonal "O-O-O" lines that do not intersect.