Connect Four was developed in 1973 as a two-person strategy game by Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin and published by Milton Bradley in 1974. The classic board game is played on a vertical, hollow game board. This game board consists of seven vertical columns and six horizontal rows. Each player has 21 discs of the same color, which are alternately dropped into the game board. When a player drops a disc into a column, it occupies the lowest free space of the column.

The winner is the one who is the first to manage to put four of his discs in a line. This line can be either vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. If the game board is completely filled without a player having won, the game ends in a draw.

3 Tips for Connect Four

1. Focus on the Center of the Board

By dropping your game discs into the center of the board, you increase your chances of forming four-in-a-row combinations in all possible directions and thereby limit your opponent's options.

2. Every Move Must Serve a Purpose

When playing Connect Four, each move should be strategically planned and serve a clear purpose. Place your discs in a way that either increases your own chances of winning or decreases your opponent's chances. Before each move, think about whether it will form a row of four discs, block an opponent's winning row, or open up future victory options. By deliberately planning each move, you maximize your chances of winning.

3. The Open Trap

Build two parallel points of attack that your opponent cannot block at the same time. To do this, feign a threat to distract the opponent, and then place the decisive disc in the less obvious row. This strategy requires planning and foresight, but often leads to victory.