Gomoku, also called Five in a Row, is a simple two-player game where you take turns placing stones on a grid, and the first to line up five in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins. The rules take thirty seconds to learn, but real skill comes from creating threats your opponent cannot stop.
Here is how to play and win.
The rules
Gomoku is played on a grid (traditionally a Go board, but any grid works). One player uses black stones, the other white.
- Players alternate placing one stone on any empty intersection.
- Stones do not move once placed.
- The first to get five in a row in any direction wins.
- If the board fills with no five in a row, it is a draw.
Black moves first, which is a real advantage in Gomoku.
The key idea: double threats
You cannot win by making a single line of four, because your opponent will simply block the open end. The secret is to create two threats at once — two separate ways to make five — so your opponent can only stop one.
- An "open four" (four in a row with both ends open) is an unstoppable win.
- Making two "threes" at the same time forces a winning follow-up.
Core tactics
| Threat | What it forces |
|---|---|
| Open three | Opponent must block or you make open four |
| Four in a row | Opponent must block the open end |
| Double threat | Opponent can only stop one → you win |
Tip: do not just build your own line — watch your opponent’s. In Gomoku, blocking their threats is as important as making your own, because a single missed "open four" loses instantly.
Simple strategy to win
- Start near the center, where you have the most room to build.
- Build overlapping lines so one stone contributes to several threats.
- Aim to create a double threat rather than one long line.
- Always block your opponent’s open threes and fours immediately.
A deep little game
Gomoku looks trivial but hides real depth: strong players think several moves ahead, weaving multiple threats together. It is a fantastic game for training pattern recognition and forward planning.
Grab a grid and some markers, put black in the center, and start weaving threats. Once you learn to force a double threat, you will beat casual players every time — and discover why Five in a Row has been enjoyed for generations.