Caro is a board game based on the popular Japanese strategy board game called Gomoku. It is also known in other versions as Five in a Row or Gobang. The game is played on a 15 x 15 grid or sometimes on a 19 x 19 grid, depending on the version. Caro is somewhat similar to Tic Tac Toe except that the former requires the player to be able to create an unbroken row of five symbols whereas Tic Tac Toe is played on a 3 x 3 grid and only requires the player to create an unbroken row of three symbols to win.

The game in China is played on the un-checkered lattice board used for Wei-K'i, and in Japan the game is played on a traditional Go board. The traditional Go board and counters are illustrated in the photograph on the left. The game of Gomoku ('moku' - five stones) is played on the 18x18 lattice board as illustrated in the photograph on the. The aim of the game is to be able to align five checkers of the same colour in the three allowed directions. History of the Gomoku game. It seems that the Gomoku is over 4000 years old and that its rules have been developed in China. There is evidence of the same rules of play in ancient Greece and pre-Columbian America. Play Gomoku Game. Also called Five in a Row. Try to get five stones in a row, column or diagonal. It uses a 'Go' board, but is a very different game. Hide Ads About Ads. Games Index HTML5 Games Flash Games Elementary Games Puzzle Games. Also called Five in a Row. Try to get five stones in a row, column or diagonal.

This “Five in a Row” game is popular in many Asian countries but has also gained wide popularity all over the world. In Japan, it is known as Gomoku and in Vietnam it is called “Caro” or “Gomoku+”. In Korea, the game is known as “Omok” and in Great Britain it is popularly known as “Gobang”. It was first introduced to the western world in the 19th century and remains to be a popular strategy board game until today.

Playing Caro is pretty straightforward. It is played using the X and O symbol. Two players play against each other on 15 x 15 or 19 x 19 grid. The player representing the “X” symbol gets to take the first turn followed by the player representing the “O” symbol. Players take turns placing their symbol on an open intersection on the board. It is very much a game of strategy, as players have to race to create an unbroken row of five symbols while blocking their opponent to prevent them from creating five in a row. The player that manages to create five in a row first wins the round. The row can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal as long as it is unbroken.

Once a player places a symbol on the board, the symbol cannot be moved or changed. However, most digital versions of the game come with an “undo” feature where the player can undo his last move. Traditionally, Caro is played on an actual board using black and white stones known as ”Go” pieces. The player with the black piece goes first. Caro can also be played on paper using the same “X” and “O” symbols.

Additional Rules:

Gomoku Rules Game Pigeon Game

On a standard 15 x 15 grid, it has been shown that the first player (or the one playing the black stone) has an advantage over the second player especially with “perfect play”. However, in Caro for a player to win, he must create five in a row without being blocked by another color or symbol at either end. This additional rule is said to make the game fairer and gives the second player a better chance for defense.

There are other additional rules that players can impose especially when Caro is played on a board. These rules, however, aren’t always applied to online and mobile versions so it really depends on the version.

Three and Three Rule and Four and Four Rule

The Three and Three and Four and Four Rules are optional rules that can be applied to a game of Gomoku or Caro. The rule forbids any player from forming two simultaneous open rows of three stones and the Four and Four rule forbids any player from creating two simultaneous rows of four stones whether open or not.

Overline Rule

Most versions of the game don’t allow rows of more than five to be formed. Those who form an unbroken row of more than five symbols cannot win a round since only five is required.

Many versions of Caro or Gomoku are available online. Most online versions allow the player to play against the computer or other players in the same server. There is a Facebook game of Gomoku where players must play using their Facebook accounts. Players can play against the computer or against their Facebook friends. Other online sources for Caro include the website www.vietson.com where players must sign up and choose a channel to compete against other players. www.igameflash.com also offers a free online version of Caro.

Caro can also be played on various mobile platforms. Several versions of the game are available on the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, and BlackBerry Mobile. Most versions are interactive and can be played with various players.

Some Google and Apple versions are Cross-Platform Multiplayer games.

Gomoku Rules Game Pigeon Games

Those who don’t want to play Caro digitally can purchase a Go Board online or in hobby stores. There are many pocketsize magnetic versions available for sale on www.amazon.com along with strategy books for beginners. Or, easier still, just use a sheet of graph or squared paper and a pen.

When playing Caro, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to create an unbroken row of five. However, it is equally important to pay attention to your opponent’s moves so that you can block any row that has the potential for winning. You should also play offensively rather than defensively.

Take note of possible threats. There are two kinds of threats in a game of Caro. The first one is an immediate threat. This is when your opponent has already created an unbroken row of four symbols or stones. Make sure to block appropriately. A delayed threat, on the other hand, is when your opponent has an open row of three symbols, which can be won in 2 turns. Take a look at the board and decide quickly whether you should address a delayed threat on your next move or wait until the next. The best strategy when playing Caro is to focus on offense rather than defense.

Since Caro or Gomoku is a pretty straightforward game, there are limited video tutorials online. However, if you are a beginner and you would like to see the game play before trying out the actual game, the following videos might be of use to you:

Another video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ra4OCY7t8o

More Resources

Gomoku Vs Go

For more information about Caro and other versions based on Gomoku, you can check out the following pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomoku#Caro
http://gomoku.forumotion.com/t11-gomoku-strategy-and-tactics

Some of GamePigeon’s most popular games: Gomoku, Checkers, Sea Battle, Anagrams, 8-Ball, and Knock-out

Thanks to iOS 10, it’s now easier than ever to discreetly be off task during class. The software update, among other things, has incorporated a variety of apps directly into iMessage. One free app that has become especially popular among students is GamePigeon. GamePigeon allows players to challenge friends in 11 different games via iMessage.

Of course, not every game is created equal. To help fellow time-wasters, the Crier decided to rank the best and worst of what GamePigeon has to offer.

1. 8-Ball: The simplicity of 8-ball makes it outrageously addictive. Its instant popularity at Conant is a testament to that, which is why it earned its place at the top of this list. Like with other 8-Ball apps, the goal is aim and shoot the balls on the virtual pool table into the pockets while avoiding the black 8-ball, but playing the game against your iMessage contacts fuels the competition. Don’t bother with the difficult mode, as the gams immediately goes from fun to impossible and frustrating.
2. Anagrams: If you like word games, this is one of the best out there. You are given five letters and one minute to make more words than your friend. The game’s short length is convenient, and the face-off is highly competitive and fun.
3. Sea Battle: Again, the concept here is nothing new: attack your opponent’s grid to find all the ships they’ve placed. What takes this version to the next level are the graphics, particularly the “explosions” when you hit a player’s ship.
4. Gomoku: This severely underrated game has origins in ancient Japan.The object of the game is to get five pieces in a row before your opponent. It’s an easy enough premise, but there is a surprising amount of strategy required.
5. Knock-out: In Knock-out, you command your four penguins to try to knock your friend’s penguins off the block of ice you share while they try to do the same. It’s fun to watch the penguins slide around after being released. The game is usually finished after only a couple rounds.
6. Checkers: There isn’t much to say about this–it’s just a classic game of checkers. It’s pretty mindless, but a good way to kill time. Unfortunately, just like real checkers, it can drag on a bit towards the end.
7. 4 in a Row: Yes, you can now use a device intended for school work to play a game you probably mastered when you were in kindergarten. 4 in a Row is just as boring as you remember it being. Gomoku is a similar but more interesting option.
8. 9-Ball: This recently added game isn’t bad; it just feels unnecessary. It’s a lot like 8-ball, except it’s less fun and has more rules.
9. Dots and Boxes: I have never been a fan of this game, but the classic setting for it–in a restaurant with crayons on a paper tablecloth–is a lot better than the iPad.
10. 20 Questions: 20 Questions is a fine game, but there’s absolutely no reason to use GamePigeon to play it. The interface is cumbersome and takes away from the rapid-fire style of the game.
11. Poker: This virtual poker offers no tutorials, a major flaw that made it worthless for beginners like myself. For seasoned players, though, it may still provide decent entertainment value.