How to Win Connect 4 Every Time

[@TheZotmeister]

2:22 - Red spends the next 25 seconds filling everything but G2, forcing Yellow to do so, when Red could just have played it themselves and won on their next turn as they have the double check on G3 and G4

[@sambaja]

Yeah this ruined the video for me lol

[@zarifshoeb]

I’m pretty sure the horizontal connect 4 available was a coincidence. He was just trying to show us that you can force your opponent to play somewhere which will lead to them losing. So, you just leave that column until the very end so they’re forced to play there and lose. You’re in control of that column.

[@diehe5986]

3:28 yellow has already lost atp, red has both a diagonal and horisontal 3, blocking the horisontal wont save anything

[@rjcalkin870]

Ye like how do you miss that. As a connect four veteran, that makes me wanna scream.

[@keylimepie3143]

2:26 similarly, yellow also already lost here too, even if red went in the last column, because while yellow is forced to block the horizontal, that allows red to go right on top and form a diagonal win.

[@lucasfindling7282]

I do appreciate that the core strategies and complexities of connect 4 are condensed here in 5 minutes. However as someone who has memorised almost all the lines, I can promise you that the only way to guarantee the win every time is to also memorise multiple opening lines, which will take a lot longer than a 5-minute video.

[@levigrant4458]

This is accurate. I’ve spent hundreds of hours of my life studying connect 4 and playing against top players, and it’s impossible to cover everything in a 5 minute video. Even after all my playtime, I still have tons to learn.

[@Ma.Muscles]

@@levigrant4458 can we play ?

[@onnejbenigay5208]

What connect 4 is also like chess with multiple lines? 😮😮😮

​@@onnejbenigay5208 of course bro

[@lucasfindling7282]

@@onnejbenigay5208 there are different openings for sure, it's not obviously as diverse or nuanced as chess but as a solved game, you need to play perfectly and that includes from the first moves, the second player essentially chooses the opening as they're trying to take the first player out of familiar territory in the hopes their opponent will make a mistake

[@xenon9717]

For the past few years at my summer camp in the mornings me and my friends would just play with the old connect 4 set all the time, and eventually we got really good at it. Such an underrated game

[@wariolandgoldpiramid]

I remember figuring out some basic strategies as a kid. Paying attention to parities, and setting up forks - was definitely a key part of it.

[@aksaaranselvanathan3252]

This is why I don't play connect 4 anymore. Too many sweats

[@Teruko666]

My sister-in-law *loves* Connect Four! Now, I might change that. Great video! I'd really enjoy seeing one for Mancala

[@somerandomgdfan9140]

I just trick my opponents by setting up a fake vertical or horizontal connect four, then hit them with a diagonal one. Works well for me somehow.

[@MicahMcDermott-k7i]

Same

[@sorin_markov]

Works until you face someone who can read the board

[@haveagreatday6952]

That works until you play a person that’s as smart as you.

[@Coocoocrazy3]

Kinda like me in chess, only winning because nobody notices me about to kill their queen but I also don’t notice them about to kill mine but I threaten their pieces more and I win

[@Rob-1744]

It’s a solved game. Just memorize every possible position and the move to make in those situations and you’ll always win.

[@Zarl451]

Daft comment. There are approximately 4.5 trillion possible connect 4 positions. If you could memorise 1 a second, it would take you a mere 143,000 years to be ready for your first game.

[@Riz-zyy]

@@Zarl451within those “13 trillion possibilities” (as you claim) encumbers a multitude of scenarios that would cause a player to guarantee a loss, causing the actual amount of possibilities to be memorised to fall short of that number. To illustrate this point, lets assume P1 currently has a connection of 3 on a vertical plane - any other action of Yellow (assuming they do not have a winning move) apart from the singular move of impeding P1’s combo would allow P1 to win on the next turn. Obviously, if you convey Rob’s message as fully literal, then yes, it is undoubtedly unrealistic. However I believe the main consensus needed to be taken from his comment is that if you generally understand a more limited amount of patterns (or “openings” if we use chess as an example), winning would be expected. You should not call someone’s opinion as daft if their comment considers blatant common sense

[@thechugg4372]

Pretty sure you can tie in connect 4 right?

[@moocowp4970]

​@@Zarl451I haven't done the math, but I bet a few trillion get removed after the first move when red puts their piece in the middle column. It might not be easy, but it would definitely be possible to learn every correct move that would guarantee a win/draw. There are theoretically >19000 tic tac toe board states, but obviously you don't need to memorise every single one to not lose at tic tac toe.

[@AidanDaGreat]

I think it's a joke

[@_Ghostrider99]

2:39 still should play that spot, if op puts on top, its a diagonal. If doesn’t, you win horizontal

[@flightsfeelings]

2:43 red has already made the 7 of death. once you have a 7 shape, you can attack. didn’t have to play the whole thing out. it’s already won.

[@Coocoocrazy3]

What is the 7 of death and where is it here

[@flightsfeelings]

@@Coocoocrazy3red has made a “7” shape. three horizontal and three diagonal. literally unbeatable at that point.

[@Zebster_Edits]

Thank you, man. Theres barely any useful videos for connect 4 on yt. Subscribed ❤

[@FittFails]

You are CRIMINALLY underated. I love your videos, Just remember me when you hit it big ❤

[@seanwelch71]

I used to have a Connect Four book that featured dozens of puzzles.

[@vidhound]

@seanwelch71 - I also had, or possibly still have, that book. If we're thinking of the same book... It's packed with all the correct ideas, but not organized in the most useful way/sequence. I think the author realizes that, because he advises that you probably can't get the whole book your first pass through and you'll have to read it two, maybe three times. I wasn't interested in mastering connect for enough to read the book and do all the puzzles two or three times, but I'm pretty sure all the information was there, and if someone wanted to put in that effort, they would be pretty unbeatable.

[@fatimasaba4610]

@@vidhound Can you tell me the title of the book?

[@vidhound]

@ - it's called "The Complete Book of CONNECT 4: History, Strategy, Puzzles," by James D Allen. I had to do a search to remember the title, and I'm surprised to see that the only copies available cost $80-$100!

[@vidhound]

@@fatimasaba4610 I could've sworn I replied to this. The book, which seems to be out of print and expensive now, is called "The Complete Book of CONNECT 4: History, Strategy, Puzzles."

[@MichaelShaw-dk5gm]

We need names for theese opinings like we have in chess

[@sorin_markov]

Since c4 has limited openings and the moveset is very easy to say, it's just easier to say "452213335" or something

[@dropkickedmurphy6463]

Is there a fried liver equivalent in Connect 4

[@sorin_markov]

@@dropkickedmurphy6463 There's not really "gambits" in c4 so not so much. There are lines where if you're not paying attention you can quickly get double trapped, ig

[@DanielKolbin]

Loool fax

[@InkyDustMan]

Great guide to never playing connect 4 with anyone again.

[@Pshady]

My killer strategy is to set up ‘doubles’, where if the first row is blocked on say d4 then on my next turn I complete the second row by going above in d5.

[@sleddy01]

Your numbering scheme at 0:17 is backwards for the numeric portion

[@julianledoux8824]

@ 4:48 If yellow has the next turn they can win by playing D4 then forcing red to block them until they play B4 giving them two options to win either in A4 or B3.

[@blackfox1810]

Spot on

[@Yexof]

Love your videos❤

[@carealoo744]

I use the strategy at the beginning of the video and I won with that exact horizontal 4 in a row:)

[@SpeckyYT]

I wonder, is there any major strategy that can be applied in the game Mancala / Kalah?

[@Neloish]

Knowing this would have saved me quite a bit of money in Thailand.

[@Tim_Sviridov]

I am not sure whether you can be trusted. You missed a win at 2:32.

[@sedraahmadi7317]

I spotted that too, that's also the reason why playing c1 or e1 on reds second move is better than d2, as it is very easy to block the middle without any consequence

[@sedraahmadi7317]

I mean yellows second move

[@wontcreep]

i don't see it

[@Tim_Sviridov]

@@wontcreep, red wins by putting one in the rightmost column. (I think it's called g2 in this notation.)

[@Tim_Sviridov]

@@sedraahmadi7317, not sure what you mean. By yellow's second move, both c1 and e1 are taken. (Unless I have misunderstood this notation.)

[@ATCQ94]

Thanks, Really underrated and fun game 😊

[@ldoeterminator2332]

Great video although the yellow is too white and it would be a nightmare for color blind people so saturate the video a lil if possible💛

[@asserreiad]

You do realize that the heart is ye- oh right...

[@xi9188]

the yellow looks normal to me

[@Bitterbugboy]

​@@xi9188there are many different types of colour* blindness *shut up im canadian

[@Fensmiler]

You offended me

[@Sandstheskeleton]

what

[@paulc7400]

Fill the entire middle row. It forces your opponent to try and counter you and also gives you more chances to make 4. You control the high ground essentially on board.

[@catholiccontriversy]

Doing more than like, adding to favorites to watch again before going to an arcade with the conect 4 game.

[@djtutti]

We having *Connect 4* strategies before GTA VI RESPECT, Massive RESPECT 🗿🗿🗿

[@Blackfromstickworld]

Me: *looks at thumbnail* So you're supposed to let the other player win twice then you'll win?

[@JXKGamers]

anyone else here bc of the rift update?

[@jackkalver4644]

How do you always win at DON’T connect four?

[@sorin_markov]

As p2, play on top of p1 the entire game. Literally impossible to lose and braindead easy. As p1, hope your opponent doesn't know.

[@WatchParty1]

I found a solver online where it tells you the optimal move based on board position.

[@sorin_markov]

Yeah but that's cheating. It's like using stockfish in chess except it's *really* bad as p2

[@allabouttheracks]

Amazing!

[@conconconcon486]

Bro why did u make the background so similar to the yellow pieces. It’s super hard to tell what’s going on

[@OneWhoKnowsThings6009]

Best rule would be banning the middle as the 1st drop.. Put a different chip on the middle

[@ckq]

Investing in this channel before 6.25k

[@NotSoRev]

Um… your example is wrong or bad… you could have already forced a win at 2:23

[@Mr.G_Rattlesnake]

9x8 would be great for competitions.

[@Lewbugsyeetgang6098]

Why does the thumbnail have THREE SEPERATE 4'S IN A ROW

[@stephenh79]

Dude you don't have a clue @ 2:30 you say don't place a red counter at g2 as you would lose, nope you just guaranteed the win! Yellow's turn they play g3, red plays g4 win!!! Or yellow plays anywhere else you play g3 and win!!!! This is your graphics and you have rows of 3 pointing at g3 and g4

[@donmiller7359]

I knew something wasn't adding up here!

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Go for it!

[@elijahstidham7202]

almost 10k !

[@adcfffffffffffffffff]

This video is made for people who havent connect 4 once in their life

[@sorin_markov]

Trust me, there's a *lot* of people trying to play connect four who haven't heard of any of this stuff

[@vidhound]

I think I hear what you're saying, but I disagree. I've seen connect four videos for people who haven't (or have barely) played in their life, and those videos feature the most rudimentary and corny traps, like playing a piece on the bottom row, and if the guy plays on top of you, then playing a piece next to your bottom row piece and hoping he won't notice he has to block you right then. A video that talks about parody and how the first player should be targeting odd square as well the second player targets even squares goes far beyond what I've seen in the most basic traps videos.

[@wildgurgs3614]

Dang this guy is playing chess while I'm playing checkers

[@Tasteful_Edits]

TLDR: Try not to suck

[@yodel606]

Good memories.... they have a giant one at planet angel night club 😊

[@LuckyNumber39]

2:36 bad example. If you did play on collum g, you'd immediately win in that situation since if they do play, you have a diagonal to use instead, trapping them

[@A2Moonclaw]

Anyone else have it so that when you stare at round objects for too long and then look at something else, that something else seems to appear less smooth and more defined. Like the font of this text feels "harder" in a sense. Hard to explain.

[@lukecoombs445]

This video is basically everything I already knew about connect four in a video

[@r.i.a.n.63]

Shout out to all the uncles watching who are trying to go undefeated against their nephews.

[@bunkley923]

next: how to win battleship every time (the trick is to shoot in a grid pattern so you can shoot as few times as possible without leaving any possible spots where the 2 block ship could be)

[@sorin_markov]

It's actually about heat maps

[@Archiv1st]

2:26 not placing in that far column as red ❌ Doing it cuz you can win with a red piece in the third OR fourth row in that column ✅

[@andrewharrispiano]

I failed my French GCSE by becoming a 27 x World Champion in my school at Connect 4. The more we played the more games would finish by a forced win after filling in the spaces.

[@katt7677]

came here after being beat by my uncle 17 times

[@craigdombrowski4025]

2:26 red should play this because after yellow blocks the four across red will win with the diagonal

[@matthewjoyce1059]

Do chess next. I can't wait to beat Magnus.

[@ImPreRestored]

W video

[@IRules2244]

You didn’t cover double vertical threats, which is arguably better against newer players.

[@cbongiova]

4:48 - Red forced mate in 4.

[@michaelslifecycle]

I’m choosing to not watch this because I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite childhood games

[@ZimMan2]

Dang, Arin was right. It really is like chess times a thousand.

[@Broockle]

What if you pretend you're playing on a cylindrical field?

[@SamuelPearlman]

Pretty Sneaky, Sis!

[@ExoTicHOAX]

I honestly don’t even want to watch this video because connect 4 is one of the only games that haven’t become sweaty for me and is still just casual lol

[@vidhound]

If you mean what I think you mean by "sweaty," then that is (to me) an amazingly insightful comment, and points to a reaction I have had whenever I try to get too good at a game, but never thought to put into words.

[@TroyBoyJoy]

monopoly when

[@WayTooSimpleOfficial]

Whole series coming out- Monopoly soon ;)

[@ThreeFingerG]

Hmm... it sounds like this game would benefit from a "the middle column cannot be played on turn 1" rule

[@gabiangregoric2893]

If i never lose against those who never lose would the end game be ww3 with plastic waste worldwide?

[@jerrywang696]

Connect 4 has already been solved. "Good play" from here means how efficiently the winning algorithms can be passed on to a new player (such as the least amount of time or the shortest length of guidelines, etc.).

[@stigcc]

The winning line is extremely complex, though. So, for practical play, both players can win with good play.

[@sorin_markov]

While you're technically right, very few people can play at that level

[@jerrywang696]

@@sorin_markov That's a 'for now' thing. Once upon a time, very few people could solve a Rubik's cube. Now plenty can do it in less than five seconds. Once a batch of kids set their minds to it, they'll have this locked down.

[@thebasketballhistorian3291]

Played this game all the time during class using graph paper and writing O's and X's. Proud to say I already learned all these strategies naturally. 😄

[@gregorymoore2877]

The best trick is to just be Chuck Norris. Then you'll be able to win in three moves. 😉

[@tedjammers]

How to win? Be good at the game. Got it.

[@plokenv]

Next: How to win chess every time 💀

[@drewforchic9083]

3:25 too late to think ahead, red has two 3-in-a-rows already

[@T33K3SS3LCH3N]

Someone show this to Ryuugasaki Rene please. It should not be possible to lose that much at Connect 4.

[@davidpipervo]

Missing the forced win @2:23 is criminal. Invalidates the rest of the video, imho

[@richlongwith6430]

D1 is actually D6 according to your graphic at 20 second mark. All this effort and you screw up a basic visual aid.

[@noahwolfisberg9916]

See this is why I quit connect 4, too many sweats..

[@nycnow811]

I played my boy the other day (before even watching this video) and he beat me 3-0 then I kicked his ass 18 to 5 😂😂😂 D 1 is too broken

[@TheNoorVIG]

😎👍

[@darklord161]

Jokes on you, I still suck

[@lulairenoroub3869]

I play second player goes twice

[@Set_your_handle0-0]

0:31 connect four is a solved game where if each player plays perfectly, the second player always wins

[@TheBoogerJames]

The first player always wins, you mean.

[@dzerkle]

@@TheBoogerJames I definitely read about this as the second player is always able to win with perfect play. With non-perfect play, it is easier to win going first. This was a while ago. Wikipedia currently says the first player can force a win. I don’t know why the consensus changed.

[@jkid1134]

It's been a proven first player win since 1988. You must be thinking of some other game. (although, truthfully, I couldn't find even a single candidate game)

[@sorin_markov]

@@dzerkle It's p1 win, as proven by Viktor Alis in 1988. Other board sizes have other results though. Most board sizes are either a draw or p2 win, so 7x6 is actually unusual in that p1 wins

[@thatryanp]

First player should be prohibited from playing center

[@MusikCassette]

Luck? who ever thought that?

[@md-sl1io]

not if 2 people have watched the video

[@UndeadFleshgod]

The best trick, is to not let the opponent connect 4 pieces in a row

[@jovalleau]

Instructions unclear. Red pieces have strange taste.

[@Mushroom_moon_stirfry]

why am i here?

[@markhellman-pn3hn]

player-1 always wins ?? ... who woulda thunk ??

[@DanielKolbin]

Moment

[@seanrodgers1839]

The best players are Thai bar girls

[@sorin_markov]

Funny enough, this is something I've heard multiple times. Now I'm interested in going back to Thailand to find this out

[@stanjones5341]

Dude… I didn’t know anyone else actually thought like this. I thought I was weird and too competitive.

[@DanielKolbin]

Hmmmm

[@brianmccormick8328]

If you play second you will lose

[@sorin_markov]

Only if your opponent is really really good is this guaranteed

[@nathan2278]

I just play against 5 year olds.

[@yasinhenfs4540]

Dont want to sound too rude but this video is pretty pointless if you already know the basic rules

[@scottl.1568]

Whut

[@flexiblebirdchannel]

Click bait, as you can not win this game every time even if you play perfect. Only some rudimentary strategies that every kid knows.

[@pfizerpflanze]

4:30 fun fact: yellow wins in 4 moves

[@UndeadFleshgod]

How? Red goes D3, yellow is forced to block on F3 (blocking on C3 loses on F3) then red plays F4 and wins.

[@EwaSchnecke]

@@UndeadFleshgodI think you need to assume that it is yellow’s turn, not red’s. You can assume that if you know that d1 is one of the most important spots.

[@cbongiova]

Red goes Row 4, Yellow forced Row 5, Red goes Row 3, Yellow forced Row 3, Yellow Row 2 which gives 2 connect 4 openings (Row 1 and Row2) so Red wins because yellow can only block 1 of the openings.

[@TheAsoPeso]

Winner depends on whose turn it is. Since yellow has D1, we can assume yellow has started the game and hence it is now red’s turn. Red will win as long as it does either D3 or F3. However, if it is yellow’s turn, yellow will win if it does B3 forcing red to do B4. Then yellow puts in D3 forcing red to do E4. Now yellow will win when it plays either A3 or C3.

[@giorgio7970]

@@TheAsoPesono, after red B4 yellow can’t play D3 cause red wins with C3