iPuissance 4D

Connect Four is a two-player board game in which the objective is to be the first to get four of one's own discs in a line. iPuissance 4D takes the classical Connect Four rules and adds game variants and online multiplayer.

Rules

The game is played on a board with 7 columns and 6 rows, placed vertically. When a counter is dropped in a column it falls to the lowest unoccupied square.

Two players take turns dropping counters of their colour (yellow or red) into any non-full column. A player wins by placing four of their counters consecutively in a line — row, column, or diagonal.

The game is a draw if the board fills completely with no winner. Scoring multiple simultaneous lines rewards extra points: two lines = 2 points, three = 3, etc.

Tips

Beginners will often overlook a simple threat to connect four discs; it is therefore important to always check all vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines before making a move.

In more advanced play, the short-term goal is to force a win by making two threats simultaneously; conversely, prevent your opponent from doing so.

As a general rule of thumb, discs played in the center columns are more valuable than border column discs, because they participate in more potential four-disc lines.

Among good players, the goal is to connect three discs, preventing the opponent from playing in a certain column. Towards the end, the game often turns into a complex counting match: both players try to win by forcing the other into a specific column.

Even and Odd Holes

Every column has an even number of places; if it's your turn, after filling an even number of places, it's still your turn. Every three aligned discs of one color create a hole — a place which when filled with the right color would yield four-in-a-row. A hole is even or odd depending on whether it occurs in an even- or odd-numbered row (bottom row = 1).

— via Wikipedia

Variants in iPuissance 4D

Classic

The standard experience. 6×7 grid, players alternate dropping one counter per turn. First to connect 4 in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins the round. Scoring multiple simultaneous lines rewards extra points.

No Fill C.

Like Classic, but when every column has at least one counter, the entire top row is removed and all remaining counters drop one row. This keeps the board playable and prevents draws by overfill.

10×10 C.

Like Classic on a 10×10 grid instead of 6×7. Games last longer and demand deeper strategy. The winning condition remains connecting 4 counters in a row.

2 Per Turn

Like Classic, except each player drops two counters per turn (the very first move uses only one). The faster pace creates more complex tactical opportunities each turn.

Reversed

Based on 2 Per Turn rules with an inverted win condition: the player who connects 4 counters loses the round — the opponent scores the points. The goal becomes avoiding lines while forcing your opponent to create them.

Special

Extends 2 Per Turn rules. On the second placement each turn, choose the counter type: your colour (normal), a green counter (removes the counter directly below it then disappears — cannot target an empty column), or double white counters (two neutral counters that cannot trigger a win). When the bottom row is full, you may play into a full column: the top row is dropped and all counters shift down one row. If the same grid position repeats 3 times in a row, the game is a draw.