How to play
- Black moves first. Click or tap an empty intersection to place a stone.
- Players take turns placing one stone at a time. Stones never move once placed.
- The first player with five or more stones in an unbroken line – across, down or diagonally – wins.
Use Undo to take back your last move, and switch between vs Computer and 2 Players at any time. The red dot marks the most recent move.
Rules on this site
We use free-style Gomoku: a line of six or more also counts as a win, and Black has no forbidden moves. Professional renju adds restrictions for Black (no double-threes, double-fours or overlines) because the first player has a strong advantage; free-style is the version most people play casually.
Strategy tips
- Open threes are threats. Three in a row with both ends empty becomes an unstoppable open four if your opponent ignores it. Block them early.
- Fours must be answered. When your opponent has four with one empty end, you must block that exact point – nothing else matters.
- Build double threats. Most games are won by one move that creates two threats at once, such as a four plus an open three. Your opponent can only block one.
- Stay connected. Stones placed close together create more overlapping lines than scattered stones.
- Attack when you can. Making your own four forces a reply, which lets you gain tempo even when you are under pressure.
For a deeper look at threats and openings, read our Gomoku strategy guide.
About the computer opponent
Easy plays loosely and sometimes misses your threats. Medium always blocks immediate wins. Hard looks for winning combinations and blocks open threes, so you will need real double threats to beat it.
FAQ
Is Gomoku the same as Gobang or Five in a Row?
Yes. Gomoku, Gobang, Five in a Row and 五子棋 all describe the same game. Renju is a tournament variant with extra rules for Black.
Does the first player always win?
On a 15×15 board with free-style rules, perfect play by Black is known to win. Against human opponents and our AI, good defence still decides most games.