Q&A for How to Win at Connect 4

You can win Connect Four by connecting all four of your colored checkers in a diagonal line.

Yes, it is possible for a game of Connect 4 to end in a tie. This will occur where neither player has been able to connect four checkers in a row and the whole Connect 4 board is full.

To win 4 in a row, you need to match four of your disks in a connected line, which can be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal. There are various strategies to win 4 in a row, the steps above explain some of the best ones to try.

If you get five in a row, then that counts as four in a row. So, yes, you would still win.

Luck is a huge factor in the game. Try talking to your opponents to distract them while you carefully put your master plan into action.

No; it has to be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

Practice the game. Be sure to prevent the winning formations above, and learn your opponents' strategies early.

It is not a guaranteed win, but will help you be better. If you keep practicing, then the games will be closer, and more fun!

It may be hard for a new player, but an expert can usually pull off the trap every game and force you to give them the win. It just takes lots of practice!

You need to connect four to win.

No, it is not hard to win if you follow the tips here.

The best way to get better at connect 4 is to understand the basic strategies and practice using them before you enter a tournament. Take your time each turn before you place a disk, and try to set up two three-in-a-rows next to each other, similar to the seven move. Do not place a disk in a spot that does not set up a unique win condition (such as making 1 1 1 0 1 1 1, as all you need is 1 1 1 1) .

If your opponent has set up three in a row, you must force them to place a disk in the threat eventually, or they can force you to and win the game.

Start from the sides, build a bit up from there, then gradually place pieces towards the center.

Keep filling on top of the opponent's disc in the center column. It is almost impossible to win if you don't get the first move.

Yes, you can. You can go Vertical, Diagonal and Horizontal, as long as there are Four consecutive chips of the same color.

They either recognize that you are setting up a trap, or are oblivious to the trap but don’t let you get 3 in a row.

There is still lots of space on the board, so you should first focus on making sure your opponent does not just put a piece in and win. Then you can focus on winning yourself.

Yes, you do still win because 6 is greater than 4 and that means that you will have 4 in a row.

With multiple chips, place them in different corners so you can use one to distract your opponent or have a back up just in case.

If you fill the whole board and there is not four checkers in a row, then nobody wins and you start again.

The middle column. Controlling the middle lets you prevent your opponent from getting a horizontal Connect 4.

One person will eventually see it. If you're playing against your sister or something like that, it's up to you to see it. If you're up against your parent, they'll probably see it and tell you.

It is fairly hard. You have to get your opponent to try the horizontal 4 way (explained in another question) in the far left or far right. If they do this, you can pull of the trap. But you'll have to block them once. This is only possible if you go first.

Either the far left or far right. Anther way of winning it, is to get a horizontal in the far left or far right behind their back. Also, the trap is impossible when your opponent takes the middle, so this is your best bet.