Gomoku: Rules and How to Play
Gomoku 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.
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 and scoring
- 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.
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players (set automatically by the party size) |
| Turn time limit | None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds) |
| If someone drops mid-game | Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place. |
| Draws | For games that allow a draw, ratings do not change. |
| Source of the rules | Based on the standard reference rules |
Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)
House rules
Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.
| 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 |
Terms
- Row
- Stones of one colour standing in a line.
- Four
- A line that becomes five with one more stone.
- Three
- A line that becomes five with two more stones.
- Overline
- Six or more in a row. It wins on this site.
- Opening restriction
- A limit on black only. When it is on, black cannot play a double three, a double four or an overline.
FAQ
Can I change the board size?
Yes. The party settings offer 15×15 and 19×19. The default is 15×15.
Can I take a move back?
No. A stone stays where you put it and can never be captured.
Can a game be drawn?
Yes. If the board fills with no line of five, it is a draw, and a draw does not move your rating.
Who plays black?
The site decides. If you keep playing, the first player swaps after each game.
Can I turn off the overline win?
Yes, in the party settings. By default six or more in a row still wins.
What changes when the restrictions are on?
Black alone cannot place a stone that makes a double three, a double four or an overline. White is never restricted.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-09-13 · Run by Qdan, Inc.