Most kids today are probably familiar with Four Corners, as it is often played during free time in classrooms with their teacher as the moderator or supervisor. However, there may be some people who are unfamiliar with this game. In Four Corners, the goal is to be the “last man standing,” while the “it,” or the player who stands in the middle of the room, picks one out of four corners where the other players must stand. It is relatively simple to play, but there are quite a few strategies when it comes to winning it. To know more about how the game is played, as well as the strategies to win it proficiently, here is a guide to Four Corners.
Gameplay
Four Corners can be played by five or more people, although it is more fun if there are 15 or 20 players in the game. Before the game starts, one player must be chosen as the “it” or the “counter.” The “it” would be the one who will be in the middle and will choose which corner to eliminate for every round. All the players would then have to decide which corner is designated as “1,” “2,” “3,” and “4.” Once the corners have been numbered, the other players would then need to be on stand-by in the middle as well. The “it” would then need to sit in the middle of the room, and he would be blindfolded. If there are no blindfolds available, the “it” can just use hands to cover his eye, or he could just close his eyes without peeking at what’s happening during the game.
After the “it” is firmly seated in the middle of the room without being able to see anything, he will then count from one to ten. During this countdown, the other players would have to choose which corner they would like to be in. All players besides the “it” would have been able to choose a corner before the countdown ends. If one or more players were unable to decide a corner they would stand on, they would immediately be eliminated from the game. Take note that two or more players can stand together in one corner, and one corner can be vacant with no players standing there.
Once all other players are in their chosen corner, the “it” would then choose a corner to eliminate. The “it” can shout the number of the corner he would like to eliminate, or he could just point to the direction of his chosen corner. If the corner that is chosen is the thirds corner, then all players who are standing there will be eliminated. If the “it” has chosen a corner where nobody is standing, he can pick another corner again.
The process of picking a corner and eliminating all those standing in the chosen corner will repeat until there are only four players left beside the “it.” If there are only four players remaining, only one player must stand in each corner after the “it” counts to ten. The same mechanics must then commence until only one player is left standing. That player would be the winner of the game, and if all players agree to play Four Corners again, the one who won the previous game would be the “it.”
Strategies
One strategy to win the game proficiently is by guessing correctly which number the “it” will choose for the round. In most cases, if the “it” has a chosen number in the previous round, there is a high chance that he will not choose the same number for the next round. So, it is better for you to stand in the numbered corner that was chosen previously.
Another strategy that you can follow is by not joining with others to stand in one corner. Even if the “it” cannot see, he still has the ability where most of the players are standing if they are not quiet. By standing on a corner where only you or a few others are standing, you will have a better chance of surviving the round.
Canadian Four Corners
Another type of Four Corners game has become quite popular in Canada over the years, and this variation has a different set of rules. Aptly called “Canadian Four Corners,” the goal of the “it” in the game is to occupy a corner in a square while the other players are busy trading places in the four corners. To better explain its mechanics, here is a step by step guide on how it is played.
At the start, all players must choose an “it,” and then that chosen player must stand in the middle, similar to the rules of the regular Four Corners. The other players would have to occupy once corner of a square, which is usually drawn using chalk on the pavement. Once the players are in their designated places, the players besides the “it” must find a way to trade places with others in the corner.
However, the “it” can also be given an opportunity to occupy one corner if there are no players standing on it. Of course, if the “it” is able to stand in a corner, then that must mean that one player was not able to occupy one. The player who was not able to get a corner would be the next “it,” the game continues until one player becomes “it” two or more times depending on the game’s length decided by all players.
Four Corners is a fun game that can be played indoors, outdoors, or almost anywhere. Playing Four Corners with four or five people is still fun, as it would be less chaotic and more organized. But, as previously mentioned, playing the game with more than ten players is truly more exciting.