Four in a Row
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How to Beat the Computer at Four in a Row

Here’s how to beat Connect 4 computer players, from our Easy level all the way to Hard.

How to beat Connect 4 against the computer: a game in progress against the Medium level
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Easy

The Easy computer doesn’t plan ahead. It usually blocks a single line of three, so make two threats at once: it can only block one. Its weak spot is traps that are two or more moves deep.

An open-ended three on the bottom row with both ends empty, a threat the easier levels often miss
Build a three with open ends.

Medium

Medium always blocks a simple three, so you need a double threat. Aim for the open-ended bottom-row three or the 7 trap from Cheats and Tricks.

Hard

Hard looks many moves ahead and plays near-perfectly.

An endgame where the first player's threat on row 5, an odd row, means the opponent will be forced to play under it
As first player, aim for threats on odd rows.
  1. Go first and play the middle. It’s the only opening that wins with perfect play.
  2. Keep the centre. Answer its central moves with central moves.
  3. Aim for odd-row threats. As first player, a threat on row 3 or row 5 is the strongest weapon you have. See Odd and Even Threats.
  4. Expect to lose a lot. Each loss shows you a trap. Replay the position in our solver to see exactly where it went wrong.

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Keep reading

More in Four in a Row Strategy: How to Win at Four in a Row · Best Opening Moves in Four in a Row · Four in a Row Cheats and Tricks · Seven Common Four in a Row Mistakes · How to Beat the Computer at Four in a Row · Odd and Even Threats in Four in a Row

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