Connect Four

1 Game Overview

Connect Four is a two-player strategy game played on a vertical 7-column, 6-row grid. Players take turns dropping colored discs into columns. Discs fall to the lowest available space. First player to get four of their color in a line - horizontal, vertical, or diagonal - wins.

Despite its simple rules, Connect Four has surprising depth. With perfect play, the first player (red) can always win. But in practice, one mistake can flip the game completely.

2 What's in the Box

• 1 plastic game grid (7 columns x 6 rows)
• 21 red discs
• 21 yellow discs
• 1 grid stand

3 Setup

1. Set up the grid on the stand so it stands upright and discs fall down.
2. One player takes red, one takes yellow.
3. The younger or newer player goes first.

4 How to Play

1. On your turn, drop one disc into any column that isn't full (7 slots per column, 6 rows).
2. The disc falls to the lowest open space in that column.
3. Players alternate turns.
4. Check for four in a row after each turn - horizontal, vertical, or either diagonal.

5 Winning

The first player to connect four discs of their color in a row (in any direction) wins. If all 42 spaces are filled with no winner, it's a draw.

6 Strategy Tips

• Control the center column. Discs in column 4 (center) can contribute to more possible four-in-a-rows than any other column. Fight for it.
• Think 2 moves ahead. If you set up two ways to win at once, your opponent can only block one.
• Diagonals are sneaky. New players often miss diagonal threats. Watch both diagonal directions carefully.
• Don't give your opponent a winning setup. Sometimes the best move is a defensive one, not an offensive one.