How to play Gomoku
- The board is a 15 × 15 grid. Stones go on the points where the lines cross.
- Whoever opens plays blue and goes first; the other player is amber. Take turns placing one stone on any empty point.
- Five or more of your stones in an unbroken line — across, down or diagonally — wins.
- If the board fills without a five in a row, it is a draw.
How to play with a friend
- Tap “Play with a friend” above. RoomDrift opens a Gomoku game and gives you a six-character code.
- Send the code or the invite link to your friend — any messaging app works.
- Play. The game starts the moment they join, with a chat beside the board.
Tips to win
- Start near the centre. Stones in the middle have room to grow in every direction.
- Block open fours at once. Four in a row with both ends free cannot be stopped — deal with an open three before it gets there.
- Aim for a double threat. A move that makes two open threes (or a four and a three) at once wins, because your opponent can only block one.
Questions
Is Gomoku the same as five in a row?
Yes — Gomoku is the traditional name for five in a row. It is played on a Go-style board, and this version uses freestyle rules: five or more in a line wins.
How do I play Gomoku with a friend online?
Tap Play with friends to host. You get a code and an invite link; your friend opens it and the game begins straight away.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. On a small screen your first tap aims (showing the stone and its row and column) and a second tap places it, so you never put a stone in the wrong place.
No sign-up, no download — Gomoku starts in your browser.
Play Gomoku