FlipFour is an innovative approach to creating a new four-in-a-row game with great game play, but using just 4 pieces per player (i.e. the absolute minimum number of pieces).
MATERIALS
4 white FlipFlop pieces, 4 black FlipFlop pieces and a 5×5 board.
FlipFlop pieces have a '+' on one side and a 'x' on the other.
RULES
Initial Setup
The board starts empty. Decide which player plays white; the other plays black. Take all 4 pieces of your color.
Goal
The first player to get all 4 of her pieces in an orthogonal or diagonal line wins (It does not matter whether her 4 pieces are +, ×, or some of each).
How to Play
White plays first. Players take turns either placing or moving one of their own pieces on the board, following the rules below:
1) When you place a new piece, it must be placed on an empty space, but you can choose whether to place it +side-up or ×-side-up.
2) When you move a piece, + moves orthogonally, and × moves diagonally, as the lines suggest. Move your piece any distance to an empty space.
3) Pieces can jump over other pieces as long as the destination space is empty.
4) After you move your piece, you must flip it over (+ becomes ×; × becomes +).
5) You are welcome to move your pieces before all of you pieces are on the board.
6) Passing is not allowed.