Official Connect Four Rules
How To Play Connect Four
2
Players
7+
Ages
30 MIN
Play Time
$20
Price
Connect Four is a classic two-player strategy game where the objective is to be the first to create a line of four of your own colored discs vertically, horizontally, or diagonally on a grid. Each player takes turns dropping one of their colored discs into one of the seven columns, causing the disc to occupy the lowest available space within that column. The game requires players to anticipate their opponent's moves while strategically planning their own to block potential winning combinations and create opportunities for their own victory.
The simplicity of Connect Four belies the depth of strategic thinking required to excel at the game. Players must balance offense and defense, seeking to create their own winning formations while simultaneously blocking their opponent's attempts. Successful gameplay often involves planning multiple moves ahead, predicting the consequences of each action, and adapting strategies on the fly based on the evolving game board. Connect Four's accessible rules make it suitable for players of all ages, yet its strategic complexity ensures that it remains engaging and challenging for even the most experienced gamers.
Connect Four's enduring popularity since its introduction in the 1970s speaks to its timeless appeal. Whether played casually as a family pastime or competitively in tournaments and leagues, the game offers a satisfying blend of skill, strategy, and suspense. Its simple rules make it easy to learn yet difficult to master, ensuring that each game presents new opportunities for creative tactics and thrilling victories. Connect Four continues to captivate players around the world, standing as a testament to the enduring power of classic board games.
If your looking for a simple strategy game that can be played with just about anyone, including young children, Connect Four is for you. Connect Four is a simple game similar to Tic-Tac-Toe. Only instead of three in a row, the winner must connect four in a row. Due to the nature of the game setup, Connect Four is a little more hands on and fun for younger kids to drop their checkers down the slots. Connect Four is a simple and fun two player game that only takes minutes to finish.
The simplicity of Connect Four belies the depth of strategic thinking required to excel at the game. Players must balance offense and defense, seeking to create their own winning formations while simultaneously blocking their opponent's attempts. Successful gameplay often involves planning multiple moves ahead, predicting the consequences of each action, and adapting strategies on the fly based on the evolving game board. Connect Four's accessible rules make it suitable for players of all ages, yet its strategic complexity ensures that it remains engaging and challenging for even the most experienced gamers.
Connect Four's enduring popularity since its introduction in the 1970s speaks to its timeless appeal. Whether played casually as a family pastime or competitively in tournaments and leagues, the game offers a satisfying blend of skill, strategy, and suspense. Its simple rules make it easy to learn yet difficult to master, ensuring that each game presents new opportunities for creative tactics and thrilling victories. Connect Four continues to captivate players around the world, standing as a testament to the enduring power of classic board games.
If your looking for a simple strategy game that can be played with just about anyone, including young children, Connect Four is for you. Connect Four is a simple game similar to Tic-Tac-Toe. Only instead of three in a row, the winner must connect four in a row. Due to the nature of the game setup, Connect Four is a little more hands on and fun for younger kids to drop their checkers down the slots. Connect Four is a simple and fun two player game that only takes minutes to finish.
- Connect Four Will Come With A Grid
- 2 End Supports
- 21 Red Checkers And 21 Black Checkers
- Official Connect Four Game Rules And Instructions
To win Connect Four you must be the first player to get four of your colored checkers in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Please keep in mind that the official Connect Four PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions, etc. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Mindy Sandoval says:
If you drop your color on connect for in the incorrect slot, do you get to correct your mistake?
09-20-2020
If you drop your color on connect for in the incorrect slot, do you get to correct your mistake?
Bhakti says:
If 5 chips are connected can it be counted as a double connect 4 ?
03-27-2020
If 5 chips are connected can it be counted as a double connect 4 ?
Dylan S says:
This is serious guys, the name of the game is connect 4, not connect 5, so if someone connects 5, they don't win, because they didn't connect 4, they connected 5
02-21-2020
This is serious guys, the name of the game is connect 4, not connect 5, so if someone connects 5, they don't win, because they didn't connect 4, they connected 5
Alyssa says:
Does the person who wins get to go first
08-25-2019
Does the person who wins get to go first
Piecenik says:
In every 5 there is a 4. Every 5 contains a four. If you get a Connect 5, you automatically have a Connect 4. Not sure why people find that hard to understand, especially when several people have already answered the question. Also, the rule is whoever gets a Connect 4 first, not whoever calls it.
05-09-2019
In every 5 there is a 4. Every 5 contains a four. If you get a Connect 5, you automatically have a Connect 4. Not sure why people find that hard to understand, especially when several people have already answered the question. Also, the rule is whoever gets a Connect 4 first, not whoever calls it.
Cameron says:
Can we win connect 4 by connecting 5?
03-17-2019
Can we win connect 4 by connecting 5?
Kito says:
Do you win if you get four in a square?
01-27-2019
Do you win if you get four in a square?
Carmen says:
What if the first one to connect four didn't see it or call connect four. Do u have to call connect four in order to win???? Please help!!!!
12-27-2017
What if the first one to connect four didn't see it or call connect four. Do u have to call connect four in order to win???? Please help!!!!
Carmen says:
Do you have to call connect for in order to win the game what if you don't see your Connect Four and other person gets connect for first who wins the game
12-27-2017
Do you have to call connect for in order to win the game what if you don't see your Connect Four and other person gets connect for first who wins the game
Keir says:
I observed a game of Connect Four. He had 3 in a row & instead of waiting for his opponent to drop on either side so he can drop on top to get a connect four. He went 2 columns over which would force a connect five instead of a four which is required to win. The rules simply state FOUR in a row; not four or more.
11-24-2017
I observed a game of Connect Four. He had 3 in a row & instead of waiting for his opponent to drop on either side so he can drop on top to get a connect four. He went 2 columns over which would force a connect five instead of a four which is required to win. The rules simply state FOUR in a row; not four or more.
Ray says:
Shouldn't the loser start the game.... it's an advantage if the winner always leads off?????
09-12-2017
Shouldn't the loser start the game.... it's an advantage if the winner always leads off?????
Lyvia says:
I'm sort of confused cause me and some othera in my class are having a debate about weither you can get 5 in a row or not. Someone please tell me the official answer!
09-07-2017
I'm sort of confused cause me and some othera in my class are having a debate about weither you can get 5 in a row or not. Someone please tell me the official answer!
Elizabeth says:
If you have to call that you have 4 in a row, it makes the game all more fun in the sense that you have to pay more attention and be the first one to call if there is an accidental 4 in a row. There are two ways to play. 5 in a row and 4 in a row. to play 5 in a row, usually, a bigger board is used. However, in 4 in a row, if a 5 in a row is made, it is considered a win if you call it
01-06-2017
If you have to call that you have 4 in a row, it makes the game all more fun in the sense that you have to pay more attention and be the first one to call if there is an accidental 4 in a row. There are two ways to play. 5 in a row and 4 in a row. to play 5 in a row, usually, a bigger board is used. However, in 4 in a row, if a 5 in a row is made, it is considered a win if you call it
Teeh says:
Do you have to call if you won
01-01-2017
Do you have to call if you won
Bob says:
The inventor of the game has to decide in the case of getting 4 in a row and not seeing or calling it, if you still win. I think it would be good sportsmanship if your opponent gets 4 in a row, but doesn't see it and you concede the game.
04-05-2015
The inventor of the game has to decide in the case of getting 4 in a row and not seeing or calling it, if you still win. I think it would be good sportsmanship if your opponent gets 4 in a row, but doesn't see it and you concede the game.
Bob says:
If you connect 5 in a row, you DO have 4 in a row also !! So, 5 in a row wins.
04-05-2015
If you connect 5 in a row, you DO have 4 in a row also !! So, 5 in a row wins.
Johnny says:
If you get connect 4 and do not see it or call it and then the opponent gets connect four next who wins.
12-27-2014
If you get connect 4 and do not see it or call it and then the opponent gets connect four next who wins.
Adrianna White says:
we are having a debate about can you get connect 5 in a game of connect for...someone please tell me yes or no
03-30-2011
we are having a debate about can you get connect 5 in a game of connect for...someone please tell me yes or no
Jim says:
Of course you win if you connect 5 -- it's double win, because you now have two sets of 4 connected, depending in which end you count from!
10-01-2010
Of course you win if you connect 5 -- it's double win, because you now have two sets of 4 connected, depending in which end you count from!
Jim says:
A group of 5 wins the game; this is verified by reading the paper referenced in Wikipedia's Connect Four article (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Connect_Four); "Victor Allis's Master's Thesis containing the solution of the game" http://www.connectfour.net/Files/connect4.pdf Section 2.1, paragraph 3 states "If one player has more than one connected group this position can only be legal if these groups share a square which contains the last man played." Groups of more than 4 are constructed by the final tile played joining two groups of less than 4 together. A "5" can be constructed by joining two sets of 2, or a 3 and a 1. A "6" can be created by joining a 3 and a 2. A "7" can only be made by joining two sets of 3.
10-01-2010
A group of 5 wins the game; this is verified by reading the paper referenced in Wikipedia's Connect Four article (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Connect_Four); "Victor Allis's Master's Thesis containing the solution of the game" http://www.connectfour.net/Files/connect4.pdf Section 2.1, paragraph 3 states "If one player has more than one connected group this position can only be legal if these groups share a square which contains the last man played." Groups of more than 4 are constructed by the final tile played joining two groups of less than 4 together. A "5" can be constructed by joining two sets of 2, or a 3 and a 1. A "6" can be created by joining a 3 and a 2. A "7" can only be made by joining two sets of 3.
tico says:
We're having a debate about the five in a row too. Is it a win if you connect five?
02-15-2010
We're having a debate about the five in a row too. Is it a win if you connect five?
Kindra Horton says:
We are playing at the Boys and Girls Club and we are debating about if you get five in a row do you still win? We need a answer help?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
08-31-2009
We are playing at the Boys and Girls Club and we are debating about if you get five in a row do you still win? We need a answer help?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Syu says:
We're having a debate about the five in a row too. Is it a win if you connect five?
07-13-2009
We're having a debate about the five in a row too. Is it a win if you connect five?
Sims says:
If a person gets five in a row, does he or she still win? We are having a debate about this.
06-14-2009
If a person gets five in a row, does he or she still win? We are having a debate about this.
Sarah P. says:
this game is SO MUCH FUN!! i love it because it is easy to play...and a simple game to understand!
11-14-2007
this game is SO MUCH FUN!! i love it because it is easy to play...and a simple game to understand!
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