Play Four in a Row online with friends

What is Four in a Row?

Four in a Row is a connection game with a twist: gravity. You don't choose any square you like; you choose a column, and your disc falls to the lowest free space in it. That one rule changes everything. Every disc you drop also decides where the next disc in that column will land, so a move that helps you can open a space your opponent was waiting for.

Games are short and the rules fit in one sentence, yet there are real tactics: making threats, blocking them, and setting up two threats at once so your opponent can only stop one. That mix makes it a favorite for a quick game with friends, a rematch or a whole tournament in one evening.

How to play Four in a Row

1. Two players play the classic game: red against yellow on a grid of 7 columns and 6 rows. Who drops first is drawn at random.
2. On your turn, drop a disc into a column that isn't full. It falls to the lowest free space.
3. Line up four of your color in a row, a column or a diagonal to win.
4. If the grid fills up with no line of four, the game is a draw.

Running out of time

Every move has a time limit. If yours runs out, your disc drops into a random column, so it's always better to choose one yourself.

Leaving the game

If a player leaves, their discs stay on the grid but they're out of the game. When only one side still has players, that side wins.

Four in a Row modes on Ping44

Two players always play the classic game. With three or more, the host picks one of these modes:

• Everyone for themselves (the default): each player has their own color and a number shown on their discs, on a grid that grows with the players: 9 columns and 7 rows for 3 or 4 players, 11 columns and 8 rows for 5 or 6, and 13 columns and 9 rows for 7 or 8. Four in a line still wins.
• Teams: red against yellow on the classic 7×6 grid. The teams take turns, and each team's players take its turns in order. A line of four wins for the whole team.
• Tournament: players are paired for classic one-on-one matches, all played at the same time, and the winners meet in the next round until one is champion. With an odd number of players, one sits a round out. A drawn match is replayed with the other player starting, and a second draw is settled by a coin toss. Anyone without a match can pick one to watch live.

Host settings

• Mode: Everyone for themselves, Teams or Tournament (for three or more players).
• Turn timer: 10 to 60 seconds per move, 30 by default.
• Auto-start next round: the next game begins 30 seconds after one ends, and the host can pause the countdown.

Scoring on Ping44

• The winner scores 10 points. In Teams, every player of the winning team scores 10.
• In a tournament, each match won scores 3 points, and the champion scores 10 more.
• A draw scores nothing.
• A win because the other side left only scores if at least two discs were dropped, so joining and leaving can't farm points.

Points go to the room's scoreboard, which adds up across every game you play in the room, so a run of Four in a Row can decide who's ahead for the night.

Tips and strategy

• Take the middle. On the classic grid, the center column is part of more possible lines of four than any other, so discs there do the most work.
• Block threes early. When an opponent has three in a line with an open space at the end, block it now. Waiting a turn is usually too late.
• Make two threats at once. The strongest move creates two different winning spaces. Your opponent can only block one.
• Watch the space underneath. If your opponent needs a space to win, don't drop a disc into the space just below it: you'd hand them the winning spot.
• Think in columns. Count how many discs each column can still take. Late in the game, who is forced to play where often decides the result.
• Crowded grid, different game. In everyone for themselves, you can't block everyone. Keep an eye on the players who move right after you, and let others stop the threats you can't reach.
• Plan with your team. In Teams, teammates play the team's turns in order, so talk through your plan on voice chat.
• Never let the timer run out. A timed-out disc lands in a random column, which can undo a good position.

How to start a game of Four in a Row on Ping44

1. Sign in at ping44.com and create a room. The host needs a free account; friends can join as guests just by picking a name.
2. Share the room's invite link, its 6-character code or its QR code.
3. In the lobby, choose Board games, then pick Four in a Row in Game settings.
4. With three or more players, choose a mode, then set the turn timer.
5. Start the game. Anyone else in the room can watch as a spectator.

After a game, the host can start a rematch or switch to another game, such as Barricade, Draughts or the Property Game, and everyone stays in the same room. See all our board games.

Why play Four in a Row on Ping44

• Up to 8 players. Not just one on one: play in two teams, everyone for themselves on a bigger grid, or as a tournament bracket where every match runs at once.
• Fair play. The server runs every rule and checks every disc, and the last disc dropped and the winning line are lit, so there's no arguing about who won.
• Quick to start. Friends join with a link, a code or a QR code, and guests don't need an account.
• Voice and text chat. Talk while you play, right in the room.
• Free and instant. No ads, no download: it runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers.

Frequently asked questions