fourinarow

Four in a Row, also known as Connect Four, is a two-player connection game where players take turns dropping colored discs from the top into a vertically suspended grid. The objective is to be the first to form a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of four of one's own discs. The game is played on a grid typically 7 columns wide and 6 rows tall. When a disc is dropped, it falls to the lowest unoccupied space within its chosen column.

The game can be analyzed mathematically, and it has been proven that the first player can always win if they play optimally. This is achieved by starting with a disc in the center column, and then responding to the second player's moves in a way that creates a winning position. Despite this mathematical certainty, Four in a Row remains a popular game due to its simplicity and strategic depth for casual play. Many variations exist with different grid sizes and rules. The game has been adapted into numerous physical and digital versions.