Omok Climb rules and tips

How to win

Connect five stones in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Five or more wins.

Open fours and open threes

A four with both ends empty is an open four. One block is not enough, so it wins. An open three becomes an open four next move. Block your opponent's open three right away.

The center is worth more

The center is open in all four directions, so it makes a good first stone. Stones at the edge have little room to grow.

Three bots

The greedy bot grows its own lines first. The guarding bot blocks your five, and otherwise grows its lines. The two ahead bot also looks one reply further. None of them use random numbers.

How a run flows

Lose a board and you lose a rope, then you replay the same board. A draw keeps your rope. At zero ropes the run ends.

On boards 1 to 3, you move first. From board 4, you move first on odd boards and the bot moves first on even boards.

From board 5, the bot's extra stone sits inside the center 5x5. From board 6, one rule is added.

After boards 2, 4 and 6, three relics are offered. Pick one and keep it to the end.

Rules that get added

There are 6 rules. Pairs that clash never appear on the same board.

• No center You cannot play in the nine center cells.
• No diagonals Five on a diagonal does not win. Only rows and columns count.
• Stay close You can only play next to a stone already down. Your first move can go anywhere.
• Keep apart You cannot play in the eight cells around your own stones.
• Edges first If an edge cell is open, you must play an edge cell.
• Even cells Add the row and column numbers. You can only play where the sum is even.

Eight relics

Every name and line here was written for this app.

• Take back Undo your last move and the bot's reply. Use it twice per run.
• Peek See where the bot will play next. Use it twice.
• Waive rule Ignore the board's rules for one move. Use it twice.
• Double move Play two of your moves in a row. Use it once.
• Pluck Remove one bot stone. Not from a line of four or more. Your turn stays. Use it twice.
• Fewer extras Every later board has one less extra stone for the bot.
• Extra rope Gain one rope. Ropes cap at four.
• Center first On boards where the bot moves first, you move first and your stone lands near the center.

Pick the relic that covers your weak spot. Extra rope is worth most when you hold two ropes or fewer.