Gomoku
Also known as: Five in a Row / GobangGomoku is a board game for 2 players that takes about 10 minutes. The first player to line up five stones wins. Free. In-browser. No account.
Joining is free, and no account is needed.Learn how to play (3 min)
Gomoku in 30 seconds
- Set upBlack goes first on a 15×15 board. Stones sit on the line crossings.
- Take turnsPlace one stone at a time. Stones never move once placed.
- Line up fiveA row of five in any direction — up, across or diagonal — ends the game.
- WinThe player who lines up five wins. A full board with no line is a draw.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 10 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-13 |
How to play Gomoku online
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup
- Two players. You need a 15×15 board and black and white stones.
- Black plays first, white second.
- Stones go on the crossings of the lines, not inside the squares.
How to play
- Black and white take turns placing one stone each.
- A stone never moves again, and it can never be captured.
- Five in a row — up, across or diagonal — ends the game at once.
- Six or more in a row also wins here; we do not rule out the overline.
Winning
- The first player to line up five stones wins.
- If the board fills with no line of five, the game is a draw.
- By default we do not use the opening restrictions on black (double three, double four, overline). A party can turn them on.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board size | Choose between 15×15 and 19×19. | 15×15 | Yes |
| Overline | Six or more in a row also wins. | On | Yes |
| Opening restrictions (double three, double four, overline) | Restrict black's moves. A restricted move cannot be played. | Off | Yes |
| Swap who starts | Swap the first player after each game. | On | Yes |
FAQ
How many players?
Two. One plays black, the other white.
Is the first player favoured?
Yes. When you play several games in a row, the site swaps who goes first each time.
Does six in a row win?
Yes. Five or more wins on this site.
Are double three and double four forbidden?
Not by default. A party can turn the restrictions on, and then black cannot play a double three, a double four or an overline.
Can I practise alone?
Yes. Press Play vs CPU to play against the computer.
Can I play at school or work (unblocked)?
Yes. Gomoku runs entirely in your browser, with nothing to download or install, so it works on most school and work networks that block app stores or game downloads. If your network blocks the whole site, ask an administrator to allow boardgamejoin.com.
Is there a 2 player mode?
Yes — Gomoku is played by exactly 2 people.
Can I play against the computer?
Yes. Press “Play vs CPU” on the Gomoku page to start right away against a computer opponent — no waiting for other players.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
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Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-13 · Run by Qdan, Inc.