Want a Gomoku 2 player game you can start in seconds? Gomoku on My MP Games is the classic five in a row strategy game, ready to play in your browser. Take turns placing stones on a 15×15 board and be the first to line up five across, down or diagonally. Invite a friend online with a room code, share one phone or laptop, or practise against the computer. It is free, it works on desktop, tablet and mobile, and there is no download, no app and no sign-up.
How to Play Gomoku Online
- Pick a mode. Press Create room to host a friend, Join room if you have a code, Local vs to share one device, or Play vs Computer for an instant solo game.
- Place a stone. On your turn, tap or click any empty cell on the board. Your stone stays there for the rest of the game.
- Build a line. Grow rows of your own stones across, down or along a diagonal, and block every line your opponent starts.
- Make five. The first player to get five stones in an unbroken line wins. The winning line lights up on the board.
- Play again. The Moves list records every stone by its grid square, such as H8. When the game ends you can share your result card or press Rematch.
Gomoku Rules
The board
Classic Gomoku uses a 15×15 board, 225 cells in total. Each player has their own colour, and the Moves list names every square with a letter for the column and a number for the row.
Taking turns
Players take turns placing one stone at a time on any empty cell. There is no capturing, stones never move, and you cannot pass.
Winning and draws
Five of your stones in an unbroken horizontal, vertical or diagonal line wins at once. On My MP Games a longer line also counts, so six in a row wins too. If the whole board fills with no line of five, the game is a draw, although that almost never happens.
Game Modes: Online, Local and vs Computer
Online with friends (room code)
Press Create room and you get a five-character room code. Copy the code or the invite link and send it to your friend. They enter it under Join room or open the link, you approve them, both of you press Ready and the host presses Start match. As host you can lock the room, auto-approve joiners and list the room as public or private for spectators, and there is a room chat. Each of you plays on your own phone, tablet or computer.
Challenge online players
Open the live arena, see who is free right now and send a duel invite. No login is needed.
Local vs on one device
This is Gomoku 2 player offline-style: two people in the same place share one screen and take turns placing stones. It is the paper-free way to play five in a row on a sofa, in a classroom or on a long trip.
Play vs Computer
Press Play vs Computer and the board opens at once with you to move first. The computer answers every stone straight away, so it is a quick way to learn the rules and practise your attacks.
Controls for Touch, Mouse and Keyboard
- Touch: tap an empty cell to place your stone. The whole 15×15 board fits on a phone screen in portrait.
- Mouse: click an empty cell.
- Keyboard: press Tab to move through the cells and Enter to place a stone on the highlighted cell.
- Filled cells cannot be picked again. In Local vs, both players use the same board and simply take turns.
Tips and Strategy to Win at Gomoku
- Start near the centre. Stones in the middle can grow in all eight directions, while edge stones run out of room.
- Answer an open three at once. Three in a row with both ends empty becomes an open four on the next move, and an open four cannot be stopped. Block threes before they turn into fours.
- Build in several directions. Place stones that belong to two or three possible lines at the same time, so every move adds pressure.
- Aim for a double threat. A move that makes a four and an open three together, or two open threes, cannot be blocked with one stone. This is how most games of Gomoku are won.
- Defend with purpose. When you block, choose the square that also extends one of your own lines. A block that builds is worth twice as much.
- Use the first move wisely. The first player has a real advantage in five in a row. In an online room the host always places the first stone, rematches included, so swap who creates the room when you play a friend again.
History of Gomoku and Popular Variants
The Gomoku game comes from Japan, where it has been played on the Go board for centuries. The name roughly means five pieces in a row, and the game is also known as Gobang and simply five in a row. Because the first player has such a strong edge, tournament players later added stricter rule sets and special openings to balance the game, and Connect6 asks for six in a row instead of five.
On My MP Games, Classic Gomoku is played on the traditional 15×15 board. The Variants list on this page also opens other boards to try, including Gomoku Blitz on an 11×11 board, Penta on a 12×12 board and Connect Six, where you need six in a row. If you enjoy Gomoku, try the other free 2 player games below. My MP Games has 50+ free multiplayer games, all playable in the browser.
Gomoku 2 Player FAQ
Can you play Gomoku online with friends?
Yes. Press Create room and send your friend the five-character room code or the invite link. They join, you approve them, both press Ready and the host starts the match. You can also challenge players who are free in the live arena.
Can you play Gomoku 2 player on one device?
Yes. Choose Local vs and two players take turns on the same phone, tablet or computer. You do not need an account, a second screen or an internet opponent.
Is Gomoku free to play online?
Yes. Gomoku on My MP Games is free and runs in your browser on desktop, tablet and mobile. There is nothing to download and no sign-up.
Can you play Gomoku against the computer?
Yes. Press Play vs Computer for an instant solo game. You move first and the computer replies straight away.
How many in a row do you need to win Gomoku?
Five. The first player to place five stones in an unbroken line across, down or diagonally wins the game.
Does six in a row count in Gomoku?
In this version, yes. The game checks for a line of at least five of your stones, so six or more in a row also wins. Some strict tournament rule sets treat long lines differently.
Who goes first in Gomoku?
In an online room the host, the player who created the room, places the first stone in every game, rematches included. In an arena challenge that is the player who sent the challenge. In Local vs the host's side moves first, and in vs Computer you always move first. Because the first player has an advantage, swap who hosts when you play a friend again.
Is Gomoku the same as Go?
No. Both are played on a grid with stones, but Go is about surrounding territory and capturing stones, while Gomoku is a race to make five in a row. Stones are never captured in Gomoku.
More Free 2 Player Games
Gomoku is one of 67 free games on My MP Games. Try these related board games next:
