Connect Four is a quick two-player game of drop and block. Players take turns dropping a disc into one of the columns, and it falls to the lowest empty cell. The rules take a minute to learn, but thinking a few moves ahead, building double threats and cutting off your opponent make it a real strategy game.
In Hamdor you can play Connect Four online against real players, open a private room and send the code to a friend, practise offline against a bot, or play two on one phone. Every game keeps its own rating, leaderboard and win streak.
How to play Connect Four
- The board has seven columns and six rows, and each player has their own colour.
- On your turn, drop one disc into any column that is not full; it falls to the lowest empty cell.
- The first player to line up four of their discs horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins.
- If all 42 cells fill up with no four in a row, the game is a draw.
- Who moves first is drawn at random at the start of each game.
These are the exact rules Hamdor plays by; the app shows them too, under each game's How to play tab.
Connect Four in Hamdor
- Standard board: the classic seven by six grid with no extra rules.
- Random first move: the starting player is drawn at random, so sometimes you lead and sometimes you answer.
- Online, ranked: play a real opponent; if nobody is found within a few seconds, a bot takes the seat and is labelled as a bot.
- Bots at several levels: play offline and choose how hard the bot should be.
- Two on one phone: sit next to a friend and take turns on the same device.
Tips to win at Connect Four
- Take the centre column. The middle column is part of more possible lines than any other, so discs there open the most ways to win.
- Check their threats first. Before every move, look for three of their discs with an open fourth cell. Miss it and you lose next turn.
- Build double threats. With two winning cells at once, your opponent can only block one. Most wins come from this.
- Don't fill the cell under their win. If they have a threat on a floating cell, dropping a disc right below it hands them the win.
- Mind the row of your threats. The first player usually profits from threats on odd rows (counting from the bottom), the second player from even rows. It decides many endgames when columns fill up.
- Watch the diagonals. Diagonal fours are the hardest to spot, so use them to attack and keep an eye on them in defence.
Connect Four in Hamdor
- Online, ranked: play real opponents and earn a rating. If nobody turns up within a few seconds, a bot takes the seat and is labelled as a bot.
- Private rooms: create a room, send the code to your friends and chat with stickers and reactions while you play.
- Bots: play offline against bots, to practise or when nobody is online.
- Two on one phone: pass the phone and play face to face.
- Stats and streaks: your win rate, best winning streak and this game's leaderboard.
- Your own look: change how the table and pieces look in the Hamdor shop. It is cosmetic only and never affects who wins.
Connect Four FAQ
How many players is Connect Four?
Two. In Hamdor you can play a real opponent online, a friend in a private room, a bot, or a friend on the same phone.
Who goes first in Connect Four?
In Hamdor the first player is drawn at random at the start of each game.
What happens if the board fills up?
If all 42 cells are filled and nobody has four in a row, the game ends in a draw.
Can I play Connect Four offline?
Yes. You can play a bot or a friend on the same phone without a connection. Online play and private rooms need the internet.