A game of five in a row, played with black and white stones on a Go board. Players take turns placing one stone, and the first with five in an unbroken line wins. It is also called Five in a Row or Gobang.

Does six in a row win?

In Freestyle, the default, five or more wins. Pick Exactly five when you make the table and a line of six or more (an overline) does not count.

Black, and who gets Black is decided at random for each game. Black has the edge, so White plays defence first.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. The house bot takes a win when it sees one, blocks fours and open threes, and builds double threats of its own. Start a table and add a bot, or send a friend the link.

Do I need an account?

No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.

Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.

How do I play with my friends?

Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.

Play Gomoku Online Free: Five in a Row

Gomoku is Five in a Row, played with Go stones on a Go board: take turns placing a stone on any empty point, and the first to make an unbroken line of five, across, down or diagonally, wins. Nothing is captured and nothing moves, so it takes a minute to learn, but the double threats and open fours make it a real game of tactics. Play a friend by sending a link, or take on the house bot. Freestyle or exactly five, on the standard 15×15 board or the full 19×19. Real-time chat, no download, no signup.

2 players · ~10 min · free forever · Classic Board Games

How to play Gomoku

Gomoku is Five in a Row, played on the Go board with Go stones. Black and White take turns placing one stone on any empty point. Black plays first; who is Black is decided at random.
The first player to make an unbroken line of FIVE stones of their colour wins: across, down, or along either diagonal. The winning five light up gold.
Stones are never moved or captured. A full board with no five is a draw.
FREESTYLE (the default): a line of five or more wins. EXACTLY FIVE: a line of six or more, an OVERLINE, does not win, though the stone stays on the board. Pick the rule, and a 15×15 or 19×19 board, when you make the table.
Tap an empty point to play it. You can resign at any time from the bar under the board.

Gomoku strategy

The basics that turn knowing the rules into winning games — what to do first, what to keep, what to avoid.

An OPEN FOUR (four in a row with both ends empty) cannot be stopped: block one end and the other wins. So the real fight is over open threes: block an open three at once, at one of its ends.
The winning move is usually a DOUBLE THREAT: one stone that makes two open threes, or a four and an open three, at the same time. Your opponent can only block one.
Black moves first and has the edge. Playing White, spend your early stones breaking up Black's lines before building your own.
Stay near the middle and near your own stones. A stone far from the fight does nothing, and a stone that touches two of your lines works twice.
Before every move, look at the board from your opponent's side: where would they play to make a four or an open three? Often that is your move too.

Gomoku FAQ

What is Gomoku?: A game of five in a row, played with black and white stones on a Go board. Players take turns placing one stone, and the first with five in an unbroken line wins. It is also called Five in a Row or Gobang.
Does six in a row win?: In Freestyle, the default, five or more wins. Pick Exactly five when you make the table and a line of six or more (an overline) does not count.
Who goes first?: Black, and who gets Black is decided at random for each game. Black has the edge, so White plays defence first.
Can I play against the computer?: Yes. The house bot takes a win when it sees one, blocks fours and open threes, and builds double threats of its own. Start a table and add a bot, or send a friend the link.
Do I need an account?: No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.
Is it really free?: Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.
Can I play on my phone?: Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.
How do I play with my friends?: Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.
Can I play against the computer?: Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.