Pass & Play
Pass to Player 2
Hand the device over, then continue.
Controls at a glance
Drop a disc, then pass the device.
- Drop a discChoose a column button above the board, or move between columns with the left and right arrow keys and press Enter.
- Falling discsA dropped disc falls to the lowest empty cell in its column; the drop animation turns itself off for reduced-motion players.
- WinningThe first four discs in a row — horizontal, vertical, or diagonal — win the game, and a full board is a draw.
- Board sizePlay the standard 7×6 board or switch to the quicker 6×5 board at any time.
About this game
How Four in a Row works
Four in a Row is a gravity-based board game for two people on one device. You choose a column, not a free square, which makes the height of a potential winning cell part of the tactic.
Objective and win/loss conditions
Connect at least four of your discs horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The standard board has seven columns and six rows; the smaller board has six columns and five rows. A full board with no winning line is a draw. The starting player alternates between games.
How it plays
Choose a column button to drop a disc into its lowest empty space. Full columns cannot accept another disc. After the drop and any win check, the handoff screen gives the next move to the other player.
For example, three discs at the bottom of columns 1, 2, and 3 can be completed by a disc at the bottom of column 4 if that cell is open. A line of three higher up is not immediately finishable if the space below its fourth cell is empty: your drop will stop below the intended winning position.
Scoring and strategy
The outcome is a win or draw, not points for individual discs. A vertical stack of three is an immediate threat when the next space in that column is open. Horizontal and diagonal threats require checking the landing height.
Before dropping beneath an opponent’s open line, inspect the space your disc will support. Filling the lower cell can make their winning cell reachable on the very next turn. Central columns participate in many possible lines, but an immediate block or win takes precedence over a general preference for the center.
Local save data
nocharge:passplay:match:four-in-a-row stores the latest board size, winner or draw, a 1–0/0–1 result tally (0–0 for a draw), and completion date. It does not save disc positions or an ongoing game. The result stays on this browser only and can be removed through Clear game data.
- Genre
- Pass & Play
- Challenge
- Easy to learn
- Typical run
- 2–6 min
Frequently asked questions about Four in a Row
How do you play Four in a Row?
Two players, one device. Play Four in a Row with a friend on one screen. Drop discs into columns on the standard 7×6 board or a 6×5 board — first to four in a row wins. No account, no timer.
Is Four in a Row free to play without an account?
Yes. The game opens without an account, subscription, or cloud profile.
What controls does Four in a Row support?
Drop a disc: Choose a column button above the board, or move between columns with the left and right arrow keys and press Enter. Falling discs: A dropped disc falls to the lowest empty cell in its column; the drop animation turns itself off for reduced-motion players. Winning: The first four discs in a row — horizontal, vertical, or diagonal — win the game, and a full board is a draw. Board size: Play the standard 7×6 board or switch to the quicker 6×5 board at any time.
Where does Four in a Row keep saved results?
Any result or preference the game retains is stored in local storage in this browser. It does not synchronize between devices and can be removed with Clear game data.
What happens if I switch tabs while playing Four in a Row?
The shared game shell pauses while the page is hidden and stops ambient audio. Returning removes the hidden-page pause, but a manual pause remains in place.
How do I restart Four in a Row?
Use New game in the shared toolbar or settings panel. Restarting this game does not clear saved results from other games.
Is Four in a Row timed?
The listed session is 2–6 min. Check the complete guide for mode-specific timing, scoring, and end conditions.
How do sound and ambient controls work in Four in a Row?
Master mute silences effects and ambient audio. Effects on/off changes game effects only, and the volume control also adjusts an active ambient texture.