Simultaneous Four in a Row: Rules and How to Play
Three players secretly pick columns, then reveal together. Discs drop in a rotating order on a nine-by-nine board. Make four across, up or diagonally to win. Play solo against two computers.
Setup
- Three players use a nine-column, nine-row grid. Empty seats can be filled by computers, so you can play solo.
- Players receive Red ○, Yellow × and Blue ☆. The initial assignment is random, or you can choose seat order before starting.
How to play
- Tap a column or its numbered button to select it privately. You can change your choice until you press Confirm.
- Once everyone confirms, all choices are revealed. Discs drop in the numbered order shown above the board, into the lowest empty space.
- When choices overlap, the earlier disc lands lower. If the column fills before your drop, you miss that round’s disc. Already full columns cannot be chosen.
- The last player to drop goes first next round. Each player goes first once in three rounds.
- You have 30 seconds to confirm. An unconfirmed player automatically chooses the leftmost open column. After the drops, the next round starts when everyone presses Next, or after ten seconds.
Winning and scoring
- Four or more of your discs in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line wins. The round stops at the first winning drop, even if someone later in the order could also make four.
- If all 81 spaces fill without four in a row, the game is a draw.
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 3 players (set automatically by the party size) |
| Turn time limit | None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds) |
| If someone drops mid-game | Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place. |
| Draws | In ranked play, a draw counts as halfway between a win and a loss for your rating. |
| Source of the rules | Based on the standard reference rules |
Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)
Terms
- Column
- One of the nine vertical lines you drop discs into.
- Row
- A horizontal line of the grid. Discs stack from the bottom through nine rows.
FAQ
Can others see my choice?
Only you can see your column until everyone confirms. Others can see that you have confirmed, but not which column.
What if we choose the same column?
Discs stack in the displayed order. A player whose disc no longer fits misses that round’s drop.
What if two players could make four in one round?
The first winning drop ends the game immediately. Later discs do not drop.
What happens when time runs out?
After 30 seconds, an unconfirmed player automatically picks the leftmost open column.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-10-30 · Run by Qdan, Inc.