How to win at four in a row

Understand the game before rushing

A central piece belongs to more possible lines than an edge piece. Advantage comes from threats that force a reply while preparing another connection.

The aim of this guide is to turn that central rule into repeatable decisions. A good result comes from recognising the state of the game, choosing a plan and checking the consequence before acting.

Step-by-step strategy

Apply one idea at a time. Trying to change speed, route and decision rules simultaneously makes it difficult to understand why a game improved or failed.

Common mistakes and how to correct them

• Attacking while the opponent already has three pieces and a playable gap.
• Building a line whose fourth space cannot yet receive a piece.

When one of these situations appears, pause before repeating the same input. Identify the earlier decision that created the problem; the useful correction normally happens one or two moves before the visible failure.

A short practice plan

Play local games while saying which columns win or lose on the next turn.

Use three to five games for the same objective and compare the pattern, not only the best isolated score. Consistency is the clearest sign that the strategy is becoming a habit.

How scoring works

Only CPU victories rank; difficulty, moves and time modify the score.

Leaderboards are useful for comparing results, but first compare against your own personal best and the quality of your decisions.

Frequently asked questions