How to Play Gomoku
Gomoku — also known as Five in a Row, Gobang, or Omok — is one of the simplest strategy games to learn, yet it offers surprising depth. You can master the basics in under 3 minutes and start enjoying meaningful games right away.
Step-by-Step: How to Play Gomoku
1 Set Up the Board
Gomoku is played on a grid of intersections — typically a 15×15 board (the standard tournament size). Beginners can start on a smaller 9×9 board for faster games. You'll also need a set of black and white stones (or just draw X's and O's on paper).
2 Take Turns Placing Stones
Black always goes first. Players take turns placing one stone per turn on any empty intersection on the board. You cannot move a stone once it's placed — gomoku is a placement game, not a movement game.
3 Form a Line of Five
The goal is to be the first player to form an unbroken line of exactly 5 stones in any direction: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The first player to achieve this wins. If the entire board fills up with neither player making five in a row, the game is a draw.
Try It Now — Play While You Learn
The best way to learn gomoku is to play! Try a game on the 9×9 board below — it's quick and perfect for beginners.
What You Need to Start Playing
One of the best things about gomoku is how little equipment you need. Here are your options:
🖥️ Play Online
Just open this page and start playing — no download, no signup. The board above is ready to go.
🖨️ Print a Board
Print a free gomoku board and use coins, buttons, or a pencil to mark moves. Get printable board →
📦 Buy a Set
A Go board and stones work perfectly. The standard 15×15 Go board is the tournament size for gomoku.
Understanding the Board
The gomoku board is a grid of intersecting lines. Stones are placed where the lines cross (at intersections), not inside the squares. A standard 15×15 board has 225 intersections where you can place your stones.
The board has small dots called star points at key intersections. These are just visual guides — they have no special meaning in the rules. The center star point is where you should aim to place your first stone.
For detailed information about board sizes and setup, see our gomoku board guide. For complete rules including variants, see gomoku rules.
Quick Strategy Tips for Beginners
- 1. Start in the center — The center intersection is the strongest first move. It gives you the most directions to build lines.
- 2. Create "double threats" — Set up positions where you threaten to make five in two directions at once. Your opponent can only block one.
- 3. Don't just defend — If you spend all your moves blocking your opponent, you'll never build your own winning line. Balance offense and defense.
- 4. Think ahead — Before each move, ask: "If I place here, what are my next 2-3 possible threats?"
In Summary
Gomoku (five in a row) is a two-player strategy game played on a grid. Players take turns placing stones, and the first to form an unbroken line of five in any direction wins. It's easy to learn, quick to play, and offers deep strategic complexity. Start with the center move, learn to create double threats, and balance offense with defense to improve your game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a game of gomoku take?
A typical game lasts 3-10 minutes. On a 9×9 board, games are even faster (2-5 minutes). Tournament games on a 15×15 board can last 15-30 minutes.
Can I play gomoku by myself?
Yes! You can play against our AI opponent with adjustable difficulty. Easy mode is great for learning, while hard mode will challenge experienced players.
Is gomoku related to Go (Weiqi)?
They use the same board and stones, but the games are completely different. In Go, the goal is to surround territory. In gomoku, the goal is to make a line of five. Gomoku is much simpler and faster to play.