Four in a Row: Rules and How to Play
Four in a Row is a two-player board game that takes about 5 minutes. Drop discs into an upright grid; the first to line up four across, up or diagonally wins. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Setup
- For 2 players. Playing alone, you face the computer.
- The upright grid has seven columns and six rows. The first player uses red discs and the second yellow. The first seat starts; when you play again, the first move switches each game (you can keep it fixed in the house rules).
How to play
- On your turn, choose any column and drop one disc into it. The disc falls to the lowest empty space in that column.
- You choose only the column, never the space. A full column cannot take another disc.
- Discs never move and are never captured.
Winning and scoring
- The first player to line up four of their discs in a row — across, up or diagonally — wins.
- If all 42 spaces are filled and nobody has four in a row, the game is a draw.
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 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)
House rules
Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternate first move | Switch who goes first (red) after each game. | On | Can be changed |
Terms
- Column
- One of the seven vertical lines you drop discs into.
- Row
- A horizontal line of the grid. Discs stack from the bottom; there are six rows.
- Threat
- Three in a line with the fourth space open. Block your opponent's threats on your next turn.
FAQ
Can I place a disc on any space?
No. You choose only the column; the disc falls to the lowest free space.
Does the first player have an advantage?
Slightly. When you play again, the first move switches each game.
What if five line up?
Four or more in a row wins.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-09-19 · Run by Qdan, Inc.