How to Play Connect Four
Connect Four — also known as Four in a Row, Plot Four, or Four Up — is a classic two-player strategy game played on a vertical 7-column, 6-row grid. The goal is simple: be the first to connect four of your discs in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line while preventing your opponent from doing the same.
Each player takes turns dropping one coloured disc from the top of a selected column. Gravity carries the disc to the lowest available row in that column. The game ends when one player achieves four in a row or when the board is full with no winner — a draw.
Game Rules
On MIA Games, you always play as Red (🔴) and move first. Click or tap any of the seven columns above the board to drop your disc. In vs AI mode, the computer responds immediately with its move. In 2 Players mode, two people take turns on the same device. The game ends when:
- A player connects four discs horizontally (any row, any column range)
- A player connects four discs vertically (any column, any row range)
- A player connects four discs diagonally (both directions)
- The board fills completely with no four-in-a-row — this is a draw
Press Restart at any time to reset the board while keeping your score. Scores persist across sessions using your browser's localStorage — they will still be there when you return.
AI Difficulty Levels Explained
MIA Games offers three AI difficulty settings, each using a different decision-making strategy:
Easy mode makes the AI play randomly with only basic defensive moves. It will block an immediate threat but won't plan ahead. This is ideal for young players or beginners learning the game mechanics.
Medium mode gives the AI moderate intelligence. It evaluates the board using a heuristic scoring system that rewards centre control, offensive threats, and defensive positioning. It can spot winning opportunities one move ahead and will block your threats consistently.
Hard mode uses an advanced Minimax algorithm with Alpha-Beta pruning combined with a sophisticated heuristic evaluation function. The AI evaluates the board state, considers future moves, and selects the move that maximises its chance of winning while minimising yours. On Hard difficulty, the AI plays at a level that will challenge even experienced players.
Winning Strategy Tips
Against Easy and Medium AI, these strategies will significantly improve your win rate:
- Control the centre columns. The middle columns (3 and 4) offer the most opportunities for creating winning lines. Players who control the centre have a statistical advantage.
- Create multiple threats. Instead of focusing on a single line, try to create situations where you have two simultaneous winning opportunities. Your opponent can only block one, guaranteeing your win.
- Think two moves ahead. When placing a disc, consider not only your immediate move but also what your opponent might do next and how you can counter it.
- Watch the bottom rows. The bottom row is crucial — once a column is filled from the bottom, those discs are locked in place. Plan your strategy around building from the bottom up.
- Defend against diagonals. Diagonal wins are the hardest to spot. Always check for potential diagonal threats in both directions.
A Brief History of Connect Four
Connect Four was first released in 1974 by the Milton Bradley Company (now owned by Hasbro). The game was invented by Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin, who originally designed it under the working title "The Captain's Mistress." The game quickly became a commercial success and has remained popular for over five decades. In 1988, the game was mathematically solved by James D. Allen and Victor Allis, who proved that with perfect play on a 7×6 board, the first player can always force a win. This solved status makes Connect Four a fascinating subject for AI research and strategy analysis.