How to Play Gomoku
Learn how to play Gomoku and Renju at Gomoku.net. Complete rules, forbidden moves, winning strategies, and tips to master both five-in-a-row games.
Challenge Real Players
Ready to test your skills? Join our global online lobby and battle with players worldwide.
Play vs AI
Practice openings and master tactics against our smart computer AI engine.
How to Play Gomoku: Complete Rules and Winning Shapes
Mastering the art of Gomoku (Five in a Row) requires a perfect blend of offensive foresight and defensive calculation. Whether you are playing the casual standard version or training for professional Renju tournaments, understanding the core placement rules, coordinate geometries, and strategic line setups is your first step to victory on our global online platform.
The Basic Rules of Gomoku
Gomoku is played on a standard grid (usually 15x15). Players take turns placing a stone of their color on an empty intersection. The core guidelines are simple:
- First Player Advantage: Black always moves first. Players alternate turns, placing one stone per turn.
- Winning Condition: The first player to form an unbroken horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of exactly five stones wins the game.
- Overlines: In standard freestyle Gomoku, an unbroken line of six or more stones (overline) is also considered a valid win.