How to Play Gomoku: Rules, Setup, and Winning

Gomoku — “Five in a Row” in Japanese — is what happens when you take Tic-Tac-Toe and give it room to breathe. The rules are two sentences long. But if you stop there, you’ll lose. A lot.

The Goal

Be the first player to line up exactly five stones in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. No capturing, no scoring, no special moves. First to five in a row wins.

What You Need

• A 15×15 grid (traditionally, intersections of lines — same as a Go board)
• Black stones and white stones
• Two players

Online, everything is handled by the board. You just click to place your stone.

The Rules (Step by Step)

1. Black Goes First

The player using black stones makes the first move. In casual play, this is the only advantage black gets. (In competitive play, there are extra rules to balance this — more on that in our Renju Rules guide.)

2. Take Turns

Players alternate placing one stone at a time on any vacant intersection. Once placed, stones never move.

3. Win by Getting Five in a Row

If you place a stone that creates an unbroken line of exactly five of your color, you win immediately. The game ends.

Important: A line of six or more does NOT count as a win in standard Gomoku. It’s called an “overline,” and in most rule sets it neither wins nor loses — the game simply continues.

4. The Board Can Fill Up

If all 225 intersections are filled and neither player has five in a row, the game is a draw.

A Quick Example

Imagine you’re playing black. You’ve built three in a row horizontally. On your next turn, you place a stone at either end — making it four in a row with open space on both sides. Your opponent can only block one side. You win on the following turn.

This is called an open four — an unstoppable threat. Learning to create open fours while preventing your opponent from doing the same is the heart of Gomoku strategy.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Focusing only on your own stones. Half the game is watching what your opponent is building.
• Blocking too late. By the time your opponent has three in a row with open ends, it’s already dangerous.
• Ignoring diagonal lines. Beginners often miss threats that run diagonally across the board.

The best way to learn is to lose a few games. Open the game board, set the AI to Easy, and play. When you lose, look at the board and figure out what you missed. It usually takes about five games before things click.

If you want to go deeper, the strategy guide covers forks, open fours, and why the center matters more than you think.