Connect Four Game Tips and Tricks

As is the case with several other board games, the most important trick here is to anticipate your opponent's moves. At no time, would you want to force your opponent into a position from where they can possibly win the game.

Any connect-four that is not vertical on the regular seven-column board must employ one checker from the centre column. This means that it will be exceedingly challenging for your opponent to get a connect-four if you control the majority of the centre column.

You will probably lose if your opponent is able to make three consecutive moves with an open, playable space on either side. Hence, it becomes important to be observant as soon as your opponent gets two checkers in a row to avoid this in advance. It will be easier for you to defend against it if you try to foresee how your adversary might succeed.

Depending on who plays, there is a specific location on the board that will grant either you or your opponent a connect-four. Once this happens, the game ends as soon as that empty space is filled. It is acceptable to ignore any potential connect-fours that depend on the spaces you are ignoring, as well as all spaces above the game-ending space in the same column.

Perhaps the best scenario is to have two adjacent spots with two potential connect-fours that require a final checker. This usually results in a win because you can threaten in the opening square. You win if your opponent is unable to block.

Before you actually set out to play Connect 4, make sure you have enough practice under your belt. Try putting up the game rack and practising, even if you have to play against yourself. You'll be better able to anticipate certain actions and learn by doing.