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Five in a Row
Your turn: place a stone anywhere
Tap any empty point to place a stone. Gold goes first. Your record: 0 wins · 0 losses · 0 draws
How to play Five in a Row
Five in a Row, also known as Gomoku, is a simple and fast strategy game played on a grid. It’s easy to learn and surprisingly deep.
- Gold goes first. Take turns placing one stone on any empty point.
- Stones never move and are never captured.
- Make five in a row across, down or diagonally to win. Lines of more than five count too.
- If the board fills up with no five in a row, it’s a draw.
Quick tips for winning
- Block open threes. Three in a row with both ends open becomes an unstoppable four next turn.
- Make two threats at once. A move that creates two lines of three or four can’t be blocked in one turn.
- Play near the centre. Stones there are part of more possible lines.
- Think in shapes, not lines. Stones that work in two directions are the strongest.
Learn about open threes, double threats and how to win as the first player.
Read the Five in a Row guideFive in a Row FAQ
Is Five in a Row free?
Yes. Play the computer or a friend as often as you like, free in your browser.
Is this the same as Gomoku?
Yes. Five in a Row is the English name for Gomoku. We use the freestyle rules, where five or more in a row wins.
Does six in a row count?
Yes. Under freestyle rules, any line of five or more wins.
Who goes first?
Gold always goes first. Against the computer, that’s you.
How good is the computer?
Easy misses threats. Medium blocks most of them. Hard plays sharp attacking and defensive moves.