diff --git a/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/connect_four.py b/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/connect_four.py
index 60e50ef..bbae313 100644
--- a/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/connect_four.py
+++ b/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/connect_four.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class ConnectFourMessageHandler(object):
         return original_player + ' moved in column ' + column_number
 
     def game_start_message(self) -> str:
-        return 'Type `move <column>` to place a token.\n\
+        return 'Type `move <column-number>` or `<column-number>` to place a token.\n\
 The first player to get 4 in a row wins!\n Good Luck!'
 
 
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ class ConnectFourBotHandler(GameAdapter):
         game_name = 'Connect Four'
         bot_name = 'connect_four'
         move_help_message = '* To make your move during a game, type\n' \
-                            '```move <column-number>```'
-        move_regex = 'move (\d)$'
+                            '```move <column-number>``` or ```<column-number>```'
+        move_regex = '(move (\d)$)|((\d)$)'
         model = ConnectFourModel
         gameMessageHandler = ConnectFourMessageHandler
 
diff --git a/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/test_connect_four.py b/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/test_connect_four.py
index af3ead9..fd7ec1b 100644
--- a/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/test_connect_four.py
+++ b/zulip_bots/zulip_bots/bots/connect_four/test_connect_four.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class TestConnectFourBot(BotTestCase):
 * To withdraw an invitation, type
 `cancel game`
 * To make your move during a game, type
-```move <column-number>```'''
+```move <column-number>``` or ```<column-number>```'''
 
     def test_static_responses(self) -> None:
         self.verify_response('help', self.help_message(), 0)
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class TestConnectFourBot(BotTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(bot.gameMessageHandler.alert_move_message(
             'foo', 'move 6'), 'foo moved in column 6')
         self.assertEqual(bot.gameMessageHandler.game_start_message(
-        ), 'Type `move <column>` to place a token.\n\
+        ), 'Type `move <column-number>` or `<column-number>` to place a token.\n\
 The first player to get 4 in a row wins!\n Good Luck!')
 
     blank_board = [