Free Connect Four Game

Free Connect Four Game
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This free Connect Four game is based on the classic you may have played as a child. Connect Four trains concentration and strategic thinking. To win, get four of your colored checkers in a row either vertically, diagonally, or horizontally before your opponent does.

To begin, click the Small, Medium, or Large link above. This opens the game in a pop-up window. Wait for the game to load, then click the "START" button.

If you like this free Connect Four game, you might also enjoy other board game classics such as Battleship, Chinese Checkers, and Mancala.

Game distributed by ProProfs.com. Used with Permission.

Free Connect Four Game - Instructions

HOW TO PLAY. Take turns against the computer dropping your colored chips into the Connect Four grid. Try to build a row of four checkers while preventing the computer from doing the same.

On your turn, drop one of your checkers down any of the slots in the top of the grid. Play alternates until one player gets four checkers of his color in a row. The four-in-a-row can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Free Connect Four Game - Strategy

In Connect Four, the strategy for the first player is different from the second player's strategy. Because the first player gets an extra turn (the first turn), that player should always play offense. In contrast, the second player should always defend.

Before you can get four in a row, you have to get three in a row. This may seem elementary, but a good strategy is to try and get as many three in a rows as possible; this makes it harder for your opponent to stop you from getting that one four in a row you need to win.

Avoid placing checkers in pivot spaces. A pivot space is one where the space above it would give either you or your opponent four in a row. The trick is to identify these as soon as they appear or the game will be over rather quickly.

It is also wise to try and get as many pieces in the middle horizontal row as possible. By doing so, you should end up with more opportunities to form four in a rows.

History of Connect Four

Here is some background information about Connect Four from Wikipedia:

Travel version of Connect Four
Image Credit: Popperipopp, Wikimedia Commons

This game was sold under the famous Connect Four trademark by Milton Bradley beginning in February 1974.

It was first solved mathematically in 1988 by James D. Allen and separately by Victor Allis. It is possible to force a win by starting in the middle column followed by perfect play. And by starting in the two adjacent columns, the first player allows the second player to reach a draw.

I had a lot of fun playing Connect Four as a child. I hope you enjoy this free Connect Four online version of the game.

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