How to Play
- Choose the computer, a friend on the same screen, or an online room.
- Violet (ring marker) places the first stone, then amber (square marker), taking turns.
- The points on a phone are small, so placing takes two taps. Tap a point once to aim — a faded stone and guide lines appear.
- Tap the same point again, or press the Place button, to put the stone down. Tap somewhere else to change your aim.
- Stones never move once placed. Make an unbroken line of five across, down or diagonally to win.
- On a keyboard, use the arrow keys to move between points and press Enter twice to place.
Rules
The board has 15 lines each way, giving 225 points. Players take turns putting one stone of their colour on any empty point. A stone stays where it is for the whole game — nothing is captured or removed.
The first player to form a straight, unbroken line of five or more stones in any direction wins at once. Lines of six or longer also count. If every point is filled and neither player has five in a line, the game is a draw, although on a board this size that almost never happens.
Tips & Strategy
- Open threes must be answered. Three stones in a row with both ends empty will become an open four next turn, and an open four cannot be stopped. Block one end of an open three the moment you see it.
- Fours force a reply. Four in a row with one gap left makes your opponent block right away. Use that forced move to gain time and set up your next threat.
- Win with a double threat. The classic winning shot is one stone that makes a four and an open three together, or two open threes at once. Your opponent can only block one of them.
- Stay compact. Stones placed next to or one gap away from your others work together on many lines. A stone far from the action does almost nothing.
- Attack when you can, but look first. Before building your own line, scan the board for any three or four of your opponent's that needs blocking.
Game Modes
Play vs Computer has three levels. Easy often misses what matters and is perfect for learning the patterns. Medium always completes a winning five and blocks yours, but it plays one move at a time. Hard studies your threats, looks several moves ahead through its best options, and jumps on any open four you allow.
Play with Friend is shared-screen play. The two-tap placement also helps here: a stone is only placed when the player confirms, so an accidental touch never wastes a turn.
Play Online lets you face a friend who is somewhere else.
Play with Friends Online
Head to Play Online and start a room of your own. You will see a code and an invite link; send the link through any messaging app or read the code out on a call. Your friend opens it in a browser and lands in your lobby, no account required. When you both appear, the room creator starts the game. Each confirmed stone shows up on the other screen straight away, and if your friend's browser reloads, the same link returns them to the board.
Five in a Row FAQ
Why does placing a stone need two taps?
The board has 225 points, so each one is small on a phone screen. The first tap only aims. The stone is placed only on the second tap or when you press Place, which prevents costly slips.
Does a line of six count as a win?
Yes. In this version any unbroken line of five or more stones wins.
Does the first player have an advantage?
Yes, going first is a real advantage in this game. Against the computer you always play violet and move first, so use that head start.
Is this the same as gomoku?
Yes, it is the same simple idea: take turns placing stones and connect five. Some tournament versions add extra opening rules, but the game here uses the plain free-style rules.
How can I tell the stones apart without colour?
Violet stones carry a white ring and amber stones carry a dark square, so every stone can be read by shape alone.
Last updated: 2026-09-30
