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How to Play Connect Four

First introduced in 1974 by Milton Bradley, Connect Four is similar to a vertical game of tic-tac-toe. Connect Four is a three-dimensional game with seven columns and six rows. Two play at a time, one with red checkers, the opponent with black checkers. The goal is to be the first to get four colored checkers in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Things You'll Need

Connect Four board game
Two players

Instructions

- 1
  Decide which player will play with red checkers and which with black checkers.
- 2
  Determine who will go first and have that person drop one of his checkers down any of the seven slots.
- 3
  Study the board for before taking your turn, be sure to check all patterns, horizontally, vertically and diagonally to block any potential win for your opponent.
- 4
  Alternate turns until one player gets four checkers of his or her color in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
- 5
  Slide the retaining lever at the bottom of the grid to the side to release all the checkers and you're ready to play again.

Kids Games