Pong Hau K’i is a traditional two-player blocking game from China, where it has been played for generations. A nearly identical game is played in Korea under the name Ou-moul-ko-no. It’s about as minimal as a strategy game can get — five points, two pieces each — yet it turns into a stubborn little duel of traps that’s much harder to win than it looks.

The Board

The board has just five points connected by lines, drawn in a kite or trapezoid shape:

  • Two points across the top.
  • One point in the middle.
  • Two points across the bottom.

The two top points are connected down to the middle and along the sides; the two bottom points connect to the middle, to each other, and up the sides. The top edge is open — the two top points are not directly connected to each other. The middle point is the busiest spot on the board, linked to all four corners.

How to Play

Setup

Each player has two pieces. One player’s two pieces start on the top two points, the other player’s on the bottom two points. The middle point starts empty. With four pieces on five points, there’s always exactly one empty point.

Moving

Players take turns sliding one of their pieces along a line into the empty point. You can only move a piece that sits next to the empty point, and you always move into that single open space — no jumping, no capturing.

Winning

You win by blocking your opponent — leaving them with no piece that can slide into the empty point on their turn. There are no captures and no race to the finish; trapping your opponent is the only way to win.

Winning Strategy

1. Watch the Empty Point

Everything revolves around the one open point. Only pieces beside it can move, so before you play, ask what open point you’ll leave behind and whether it helps your opponent. Thinking about the empty space — not just your pieces — is the whole game.

2. Fight for the Middle

The center point connects to all four corners, so it’s the most flexible spot on the board and the key to most traps. Controlling who can and can’t reach the middle usually decides the game.

3. Don’t Get Cornered

The losing position is one where neither of your pieces can reach the empty point. Avoid moving both of your pieces into spots that share no line with the open space. Keep at least one piece mobile at all times.

4. Look One Move Ahead

Because the board is so small, you can often see the trap coming. Before you move, check: after my move, can my opponent trap me? After their reply, can I trap them? A single move of foresight is usually enough to avoid disaster — and to spot the winning setup.

Why Such a Small Game Is Interesting

With only five points, you’d expect Pong Hau K’i to be trivial — but between two players who know what they’re doing, neither side can force a win: the game settles into a draw, with the position cycling until it’s scored as one. Every victory comes from an opponent’s slip. That’s the charm: it’s a pure, portable test of attention that you can scratch into the dirt and play anywhere, and it rewards the player who stops making mistakes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pieces does each player have? Two each — four pieces on a five-point board, which leaves exactly one empty point at all times.

How do you win at Pong Hau K’i? By blocking your opponent so that neither of their pieces can move into the empty point. There are no captures.

Can you always win? No. With good play from both sides the game is a draw — neither player can force a win. You win only when your opponent makes a mistake, so the aim is to play accurately and wait for the opening.

Where does Pong Hau K’i come from? It’s a traditional Chinese game. A very similar version, Ou-moul-ko-no, is played in Korea.

Is it related to other games on the site? Yes — it’s a blocking game, like Mū Tōrere and, in spirit, Nine Men’s Morris. All three are won by immobilizing your opponent rather than capturing or racing.

Ready to Play?

It only takes one game to feel how tricky five points can be. Play Pong Hau K’i online and try to trap the AI without walking into a trap yourself.

For another quick game of cornering your opponent, try the Māori star game Mū Tōrere, or step up to the bigger board of Nine Men’s Morris.