If you’re looking to put your pattern-making skills to the test, play Connect Four online for free! This browser game is easy to learn but requires some skills in the pattern recognition department and problem-solving skills to beat your computerized opponent.
Connect Four online is just like the popular tabletop game (less the setup and cleanup). If you’re already familiar with the tabletop version, you’ll pick up the virtual version in no time. If you’re unfamiliar, the idea is to get four of your checkers lined up in a row vertically, diagonally, or horizontally to win the game.
How to Play Connect Four
The following is a rundown to get you started. As this is a 2-player game, you’ll be playing Connect Four vs the computer. This version does not support multiplayer.
- Select the difficulty you are comfortable with.
- Select the colored checker you would like to use. You default to one color (typically yellow). If you wish to change it, choose “play as red” to swap.
- Starting the game is done by clicking on the column where you want your checker to fall if you are the one to take the first turn. At times, the computer might go first. Either way, if no checkers are already in the way, it will go all the way to the bottom.
- Continue taking turns dropping checkers until either player connects four of their colored checkers in any direction.
- The first player to connect four wins the game.
Levels of Connect Four
At the beginning of the game, you’re given an option of several difficulty levels. There are four levels to choose from: easy, medium, hard, and expert. Pick whichever you’re most comfortable with.
Easy
The easy level is where you want to start if you’re new to the game. Your AI opponent will always choose a winning move should any become available, but won’t look ahead that far to determine what it would like to do several moves ahead.
Medium
Playing medium difficulty allows the computer to crank it up a bit, thinking ahead a few more moves than it would on easy difficulty to try and gain an advantage over you.
Hard
Hard difficulty doesn’t only afford the computer to think a little further ahead but will also be more proficient in preventing you from being able to set up patterns to get you where you want to be.
Expert
To describe playing expert is easy. In short, you’re playing against an expert. Your AI opponent is going full bore to hamper your progress while developing multiple patterns that it thinks will give it the victory.
Connect Four Strategy
Though this is a simple game on a surface level, logic, math, and anticipating future moves are all at play. The following strategies aren’t cheat codes about how to win but will help you develop your own strategies to get one up on your AI opponent.
Taking the First Turn
The advantage of taking the first turn is that you’ll have a run of playing offensively rather than worrying about responding to your opponent, at least for the first several moves. If you begin the game toward the center of the board, you’ll be putting yourself in a better position with a greater basket of options.
Building Up the Center
Building up the center columns is where you can get as clever as possible. You will be more likely to create structures that might give you multiple angles from which to build. Playing in this way, you can spot and also work off of your opponent’s strategy. Playing the center gives you the best chance to create scenarios where you have three in a row and an opening on each end, basically a checkmate in Connect Four.
Anticipate Your Opponent
In this game, anticipating your opponent’s move is just as important as making your moves. That being said, playing defensively should be minimized as much as possible. Let your game plan ebb and flow as the game unfolds while asserting your strategy with an eye on your opponent’s.
If it seems they are about to get four in a row, block it (obviously), but try to move onward with your strategy, incorporating your opponent checkers into the play if necessary.