Connect four, puissance quatre, (I have the "French" travel version of this game). A game so easy?? addictive and marketable.

Although simple in concept, a 7 by 6 vertical board is placed vertically between two players who then take turns placing red and yellow counters in to the slots which are blocked at the bottom with the intention of being the first to get four in a row: horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

To become a master takes time; yes there is a strategy. Something to do with placing your counters so that you will be able to make two lines simultaneously.

I had always believed that playing first or second made no difference to the outcome but having just checked on the Internet I found a site which has “proved” through computations it is a first player win game, if you play first you should win.

This is of course of little relevance between two humans as we are all susceptible to mistakes but beware when you play a computer.

A fun cheap and addictive game for people of all ages.