4-in-a-row tips
- Put disc in the centre first.
- Give yourself options.
- Try to make a Super 7 or a Triangle of Triumph to guarantee your victory.
- Check if your move will make your opponent even better off than you, eg could your opponent go on top of your latest disc and get 3 or 4 in a row or be able to block your 4 in a row opportunity?
- Block opponent's chance of 3 in a row if it will give them 2 ways of completing 4 in a row.
Try to get two 4-in-a-row opportunities where your 2nd winning move is on top of the first. If your opponent blocks your 1st opportunity, you win by putting your disc on top of the opponent's blocking disc. In the pictures below, if opponent had blocked my horizontal row I could have won by putting a disc on top to complete my diagonal.
Look out for the chance to create 2 opportunities for 4 in a row in horizontal lines on top of each other. In the picture below, if my opponent had blocked my first opportunity I could have gone on top to form 4 in a row.
Triangle of Triumph
If you can get your discs to form a triangle, you are guaranteed to win! This is because you have two opportunities to make four in a row; your 2nd winning move is on top of the first. The 1st opportunity is the row across (as shown in the picture below) and the 2nd is the diagonal row.
Super 7
If you can get your discs to form a slanted 7, you are also guaranteed to win! Just like with the Triangle of Triumph, the Super 7 gives you two opportunities to make four in a row; your 2nd winning move is on top of the first. The 1st opportunity is the row across and the 2nd is the diagonal row.
See the Super 7 in green below.
Super 7 wins!
When your opponent blocks your 1st 4 in a row opportunity, you win by making 4 in a row diagonally.
Back to front Super 7
Look at the red counters to find the back-to-front Super 7
Back-to-front Super 7 wins!
What is the winning move for red?
What move can red make that will ensure red wins later on in the game?
University professors have used complicated maths to solve the game. They have even created a computer programme that tells you how to win by showing you your best move throughout the game! Click on 'how to win' to play the game and get their advice on the best move. To play the computer click on the yellow disc to change it from manual to auto. To see their tips click 'show solution' under the game.
Interesting maths behind the game
Get ready for some huge numbers! This is just for fun. The video's only real advice is start in the centre column.