Welcome to the most complete guide on how to play Gomoku (Five in a Row)! Whether you’re brand new to the game or just want to brush up on the rules and best practices, you’re in the right place. Gomoku is easy to learn, but mastering it is a lifelong journey—so let’s get you started the right way.
What is Gomoku?
Gomoku, sometimes called Five in a Row, is a classic strategy board game for two players. The goal is simple: be the first to get five of your stones in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. But don’t be fooled by the simple rules; the game is full of deep tactics and clever traps!
What You Need to Play
- A board: Standard size is 15x15, but 19x19 (Go board) or even 13x13 can be used.
- Stones: Black and white stones (or any two colors/objects if you’re improvising)
- Two players: One plays black, the other white
You can play Gomoku online, with a physical board, or even on paper. Many people use a Go board and stones, but you can draw a grid and use coins, buttons, or anything handy.
The Objective
Your mission: Get five of your stones in a row—no more, no less! The line can be straight (horizontal or vertical) or diagonal. Here are some examples:
O O O O O ← Five in a row (win!)
X
X X X X X ← Five in a row (win!)
Lines longer than five (called overlines) usually do not count as a win in official rules, but check with your group or online platform.
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Let’s break down a typical game:
- Black goes first. (In tournaments, there may be special opening rules, but for casual play, black always starts.)
- Players alternate turns, placing one stone on any empty intersection (not inside the squares, but on the lines—just like in Go).
- Stones stay put. Once placed, a stone cannot be moved or removed.
- Win by making a line of five. The first player to get five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins!
- Draw: If the board fills up and no one has five in a row, the game is a draw (rare in practice).
Example Game Flow
- Black places a stone in the center.
- White responds nearby.
- Both players build lines and try to block each other.
- Black creates four in a row; white must block!
- Black sets up a double threat (two ways to win); white can only block one.
- Black wins with five in a row!
Board Setup and Variations
- Standard board: 15x15 grid
- Go board: 19x19 grid (just use the intersections)
- Paper: Draw a grid and use coins, buttons, or even Xs and Os
Some online platforms use special rules (like the “Pro” or “Renju” rules) to balance the first-move advantage. For casual play, just stick to the basics above.
Winning Lines: Visual Examples
- Horizontal:
● ● ● ● ● - Vertical:
● ● ● ● ● - Diagonal:
\or/(five stones slanting in either direction)
Key Rules to Remember
- Only one stone per turn
- Stones are placed on intersections, not inside squares
- No stones are ever moved or removed
- First to five in a row wins
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Forgetting to block: Always watch for your opponent’s threats! If they have four in a row, block immediately.
- Overlooking diagonals: Beginners often miss diagonal lines—scan the whole board each turn.
- Not planning ahead: Try to think one or two moves in advance, especially as the board fills up.
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Control the center: Starting near the center gives you more options.
- Build open-ended lines: Try to make lines with both ends open (“open threes” and “open fours”).
- Create double threats: Set up two ways to win at once (a “fork”).
- Block your opponent’s open threes and open fours immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I win with more than five in a row? A: Usually, only exactly five counts as a win. Longer lines (overlines) don’t win in most official rules.
Q: What if both players get five in a row at the same time? A: This is almost impossible, but if it happens, the player who made the line first wins.
Q: Are there special rules for tournaments? A: Yes! Some tournaments use “Pro” or “Renju” rules to balance the game. For casual play, just use the basic rules above.
Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Play a match online or with a friend and see how quickly you can spot winning lines and block your opponent’s threats.
Want to get even better? Check out our Gomoku Strategy Guide for tips, tactics, and advanced techniques to help you win more games.
Good luck, and have fun playing Gomoku!
What you need to play
- A board: The standard size is 15x15 (19x19 can also be used)
- Pieces (Stones): A set of black and white stones
While many online versions of Gomoku will provide you with this setup, most players use a GO board and pieces to play Gomoku.
How to win at Gomoku
Your main objective in Gomoku is being the first player to make a line of five stones. If you make a line of unbroken stones either horizontal, vertical or diagonal you will win the game.
How to play: step-by-step breakdown
Let’s go over the flow of a normal game of Gomoku to help you understand how to play.
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The first move: By tradition, the player with the black stones always goes first. The first player will place a black stone on any intersection of the board.
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The second move: The player with the white stones will place their piece on an empty intersection. Players continue to alternate as they continue to place one stone per turn.
These pieces are placed on intersections unlike games like checkers or chess where the pieces are placed within the squares. These placed pieces can not be moved for the rest of the game.
The game ends and a player wins when they form a line of exactly five of their stones. If the whole board fills up with pieces then the game is a draw. Draws a quite rare in practice.
Now that you know how to play Gomoku, play a match online against other players to test what you have learned: Play Gomoku
Three essential tips to help you win at Gomoku
While we have just covered the rules which will help you play your first game, there are some fundamental strategies that can be applied which will greatly improve your skill and ability to win games.
Seek to make good offensive moves
The most powerful move in Gomoku is when a player is able to create an “open four.” This is a line of four stones in which the intersections at either end has spaces on both sides.
This move is not able to be stopped since the player can only block one side, which will allow you to win on your next turn.
Make sure to block your opponent
While you are focused on creating threats, so is your opponent. You need to always keep an eye on your opponent, and threats they are creating to block them. If you see your opponent has created an “open three” you must block it or you will lose. If you fail to block an “open three” your opponent will make a “open four” the following turn which will cause you to lose.
Create double threats
The most common way to win at Gomoku is by creating a fork or double threat. This is where one stone connects pieces to make two threats or a fork. This will create a situation in which the opponent will only be able to block one of them leading you to victory.
Now that you have some good strategies under your belt it is time to test out what you have learned. Play Gomoku now.