Pentaline: 5 in a Row

Name: Pentaline: 5 in a Row
Rating: 4.3 (131 reviews)
Author: Vlad Feinstein

Card game vs AI, place chips

Free · In‑App Purchases · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.

131 Ratings
Age Rating

4+
Years
Category

Board
Developer

Vlad Feinstein
Language

EN
English
Size

9.7
MB

New name, same game. Pentaline is the strategy board game you already know — with hints that explain themselves. FIVE CARDS IN A ROW. ONE CLEVER OPPONENT. Pentaline plays like cards and thinks like chess. The board is printed with card faces. Play a card from your hand, claim the matching space with one of your chips, and build a line of five in any direction — across, down, or diagonal. First to complete one (or two, if configured in Settings) line takes the game. A minute to learn. Considerably longer to master. AN OPPONENT THAT ACTUALLY PLAYS WELL Most board game apps ship an AI that either blunders or quietly cheats. Pentaline does neither. It reads the board the way a strong player does — building toward two threats at once, blocking your line before you've noticed it forming, and holding its wild cards until they really hurt. Choose your level. The lower tiers play honestly and leave you room. The top tier will beat you until you get better. HINTS THAT TEACH, NOT JUST TELL Stuck on your turn? Ask for a hint and Pentaline shows you the strongest move — and explains why it's strong. Which line it builds. Which threat it kills. WHAT'S INSIDE - Two-eyed jacks play anywhere. One-eyed jacks lift a chip off the board - Free corner spaces count toward every line - Undo your miss-tapped move (before opponent moves) - AI opponent across three difficulty levels - Pass-and-play on a single device (premium feature) - Hints and Smart Hint mode - Stats that show your number of wins - Universal — iPhone and iPad NO ADS. NO TIMERS. NO NONSENSE. Pentaline is ad-free and stays that way. No banners between turns, no energy meters, no pop-ups. Play as long as you like. No Internet connection is ever needed. After you install the app :) Private - no tracking, no data collection of any kind. From FeinGames — pure logic, clean look, wholesome fun. Ad-free games for players of every age. A NOTE ON THE NAME This app is now called Pentaline. Nothing else changed. Your stats, settings, and saved games are exactly where you left them. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Ratings & Reviews

4.3

out of 5

131 Ratings

Fun game but not sure fair against AI
Jan 20
DeniseD1969
I really enjoy playing this game but something is off with the AI. The AI player always has jacks and very often also cards to block plays. I don’t think the game play is quite balanced or fair. It would be 5 stars if this was fixed.

Developer Response
Thank you for your review!I would LOVE to earn your 5-star rating! But there is NOTHING, literally, I can improve in a random shuffle, short of trying to cheat in your favor.Random shuffle is random. It doesn't mean that you and AI get the same number of Jacks. Some games you get less, some others - more.Could you please elaborate on how I can make it more balanced? You don't suggest that I should look ahead to see if AI got too many jacks and remove them?
Fun game but not sure fair against AI
Jan 20
DeniseD1969

I really enjoy playing this game but something is off with the AI. The AI player always has jacks and very often also cards to block plays. I don’t think the game play is quite balanced or fair. It would be 5 stars if this was fixed.
Developer Response Jan 26
Thank you for your review!I would LOVE to earn your 5-star rating! But there is NOTHING, literally, I can improve in a random shuffle, short of trying to cheat in your favor.Random shuffle is random. It doesn't mean that you and AI get the same number of Jacks. Some games you get less, some others - more.Could you please elaborate on how I can make it more balanced? You don't suggest that I should look ahead to see if AI got too many jacks and remove them?
Buggy
11/25/2025
Waste of time 445
I had two separate sequences on the same diagonal. Computer didn’t recognize them as two separate sequences so that’s a bug. There was no overlap between them either (using the same end chip). On another note, it’s an enjoyable but the master level isn’t a better player who knows how to box out spots on the board. It just literally gives the computer more jacks and stacked decks. Always has the exact card it needs to complete one early, ruin your sequence, or force you to deplete jacks. The real issue is it’ll throw out a sequence in first 4-5 moves, no joke, consistently which is statistically unlikely. It will also match pace suddenly if you get ahead. You will not blow it out of the water, even if you get 4+ jacks off the start. I was the global leader in wins in master. So I’ve got a good sample size. Not once could I get a hot start on it. The master level the developer is so proud of needs A LOT of work. I don’t think stats would defend the dev’s argument. I think they’d reinforce the negative feedback rightfully given. In all my years of playing sequence OTB with real people of varying skills, I’ve never seen as consistently just the right card to ruin or complete a sequence so frequently. It’s actually predictable. Don’t play a card because you want to wait a round? don’t worry, the computer will suddenly have that card. One of the worst “AIs” I’ve come across. There’s a reason this is free and ad free.

Developer Response
Thank you for reporting an issue with my game. I was in fact missing the second winning sequence that was inline with the first one. Fixed in ver. 4.6, should be available 12/19/25.As for your other imaginary concerns, I've added a game ID (random seed used to shuffle the deck) to the Win Alert. It is also available during the game in About box.If you would bother to send me that number, I can re-generate the same deck for you to see.Your perception that "the computer will suddenly have that card" can be explained by the algorithm favoring the move that it holds cards to complete. THAT is not random.Would appreciate if you elaborate on your "There’s a reason this is free and ad free." I will then post my reason, just to compare.Thank you again for playing!
Buggy
11/25/2025
Waste of time 445

I had two separate sequences on the same diagonal. Computer didn’t recognize them as two separate sequences so that’s a bug. There was no overlap between them either (using the same end chip). On another note, it’s an enjoyable but the master level isn’t a better player who knows how to box out spots on the board. It just literally gives the computer more jacks and stacked decks. Always has the exact card it needs to complete one early, ruin your sequence, or force you to deplete jacks. The real issue is it’ll throw out a sequence in first 4-5 moves, no joke, consistently which is statistically unlikely. It will also match pace suddenly if you get ahead. You will not blow it out of the water, even if you get 4+ jacks off the start. I was the global leader in wins in master. So I’ve got a good sample size. Not once could I get a hot start on it. The master level the developer is so proud of needs A LOT of work. I don’t think stats would defend the dev’s argument. I think they’d reinforce the negative feedback rightfully given. In all my years of playing sequence OTB with real people of varying skills, I’ve never seen as consistently just the right card to ruin or complete a sequence so frequently. It’s actually predictable. Don’t play a card because you want to wait a round? don’t worry, the computer will suddenly have that card. One of the worst “AIs” I’ve come across. There’s a reason this is free and ad free.
Developer Response 12/18/2025
Thank you for reporting an issue with my game. I was in fact missing the second winning sequence that was inline with the first one. Fixed in ver. 4.6, should be available 12/19/25.As for your other imaginary concerns, I've added a game ID (random seed used to shuffle the deck) to the Win Alert. It is also available during the game in About box.If you would bother to send me that number, I can re-generate the same deck for you to see.Your perception that "the computer will suddenly have that card" can be explained by the algorithm favoring the move that it holds cards to complete. THAT is not random.Would appreciate if you elaborate on your "There’s a reason this is free and ad free." I will then post my reason, just to compare.Thank you again for playing!
AI cheat
Jan 15
Upcguy
First of all this review is not unfair, the developer keeps complaining about people writing reviews about this game not being fair in the AI winning all the time. Well it’s true. And the reviews are not unfair. We really like the board game when we play it a lot. I wish I could put screenshots on here. First 4-5 moves the AI already has one sequence and it always just happens to have the right ones to block the player. Whoever made this game needs to go back and redo it and update it. The computer always gets what it needs and even if it’s not designed that way, it’s happening. I read other comments about the same issue and the developer gets mad and insults other people. So my message to the developer is whatever you’re using it’s not working and stop insulting other people. This is a game. It’s supposed to be fun and if you’re going to have an attitude like that, stop because it’s not helping issues at all

Developer Response
Thank you for your feedback, and for playing.You sound sincere, and I do want to make sure that your concerns are answered.As I mentioned earlier, I use an industry-standard shuffle algorithm. It uses random seed, which I display at the end of a game, or at any time in the About box.Given this number, I can send you a shuffled deck for your inspection, to see that would you be making different moves - the outcome could be different.Are you implying that my AI algorithm pulls cards out of the deck out of order? PLEASE, take my word - I don't do that! Why would I?The game is free. I am trying to get paid for my time and experience with YOUR tips. Why would I cheat against you? If anything, I should probably throw a game to your favor. (I don't do that either).Could you PLEASE suggest any reason for me to cheat?If I sound defensive in my other responses - just look at the number of those unfounded accusations. PLESE go to the Game Center Leaderboard - there are more than 9,000 people playing (and winning). Three of the top players have over 2,000 wins! 25 - more than 1,000! Almost a 100 - over 500 wins!You can contact me personally by email: dev@feingames.com, where you can send a screenshot of the game you suspect is rigged. Please include a game # from the About box - I will send the complete shuffled deck that matches that #.Is there ANYTHING I can say here to convince you? What kind of proof would you like?This is a game of chance, largely. I am afraid it is in a human nature to blame something if the luck was not on their side. Tell me honestly, when you win - do you praise your skills? Or just think that you got lucky?Would you please try the "Casual" level (available in the Settings). The shuffle will be exactly the same, but the AI algorithm is dialed down. Can you win? Does this change your mind?
AI cheat
Jan 15
Upcguy

First of all this review is not unfair, the developer keeps complaining about people writing reviews about this game not being fair in the AI winning all the time. Well it’s true. And the reviews are not unfair. We really like the board game when we play it a lot. I wish I could put screenshots on here. First 4-5 moves the AI already has one sequence and it always just happens to have the right ones to block the player. Whoever made this game needs to go back and redo it and update it. The computer always gets what it needs and even if it’s not designed that way, it’s happening. I read other comments about the same issue and the developer gets mad and insults other people. So my message to the developer is whatever you’re using it’s not working and stop insulting other people. This is a game. It’s supposed to be fun and if you’re going to have an attitude like that, stop because it’s not helping issues at all
Developer Response Jan 26
Thank you for your feedback, and for playing.You sound sincere, and I do want to make sure that your concerns are answered.As I mentioned earlier, I use an industry-standard shuffle algorithm. It uses random seed, which I display at the end of a game, or at any time in the About box.Given this number, I can send you a shuffled deck for your inspection, to see that would you be making different moves - the outcome could be different.Are you implying that my AI algorithm pulls cards out of the deck out of order? PLEASE, take my word - I don't do that! Why would I?The game is free. I am trying to get paid for my time and experience with YOUR tips. Why would I cheat against you? If anything, I should probably throw a game to your favor. (I don't do that either).Could you PLEASE suggest any reason for me to cheat?If I sound defensive in my other responses - just look at the number of those unfounded accusations. PLESE go to the Game Center Leaderboard - there are more than 9,000 people playing (and winning). Three of the top players have over 2,000 wins! 25 - more than 1,000! Almost a 100 - over 500 wins!You can contact me personally by email: dev@feingames.com, where you can send a screenshot of the game you suspect is rigged. Please include a game # from the About box - I will send the complete shuffled deck that matches that #.Is there ANYTHING I can say here to convince you? What kind of proof would you like?This is a game of chance, largely. I am afraid it is in a human nature to blame something if the luck was not on their side. Tell me honestly, when you win - do you praise your skills? Or just think that you got lucky?Would you please try the "Casual" level (available in the Settings). The shuffle will be exactly the same, but the AI algorithm is dialed down. Can you win? Does this change your mind?
New update isn’t good
Feb 20
kevinhatesthisupdate
Edit: Review updated and 5 stars given to reflect app has been fixed. Thank you. Update: The new version still hasn’t rolled out, and you still can’t tell if a Jack is one or two eyed. Also, I just played two games in a row where the CPU got 4 cards in a row, in order, to make a sequence off the corner, and I didn’t one card that could’ve blocked it. It’s almost statistically impossible for that to happen twice in a row.

Developer Response
I apologize for this oversight. These dots were lost in conversion to custom design.I have submitted release 4.10 with the fix to Apple on Sunday.Should be available in the App Store today. Not sure what is taking them so long.Please note that you can undo an accidental tap by swiping left within a grace period (1 or 3 seconds, depending on your settings).Thank you for reporting this issue!UPDATE 2/18/26 - version 4.10 was finally approved yesterday.As for statistical improbability - I am using a seeded random generator to shuffle the deck. The random seed for the current game is displayed in the About box. Please send it to me, and I will reply with the complete shuffled deck for your inspection.
New update isn’t good
Feb 20
kevinhatesthisupdate

Edit: Review updated and 5 stars given to reflect app has been fixed. Thank you. Update: The new version still hasn’t rolled out, and you still can’t tell if a Jack is one or two eyed. Also, I just played two games in a row where the CPU got 4 cards in a row, in order, to make a sequence off the corner, and I didn’t one card that could’ve blocked it. It’s almost statistically impossible for that to happen twice in a row.
Developer Response Feb 18
I apologize for this oversight. These dots were lost in conversion to custom design.I have submitted release 4.10 with the fix to Apple on Sunday.Should be available in the App Store today. Not sure what is taking them so long.Please note that you can undo an accidental tap by swiping left within a grace period (1 or 3 seconds, depending on your settings).Thank you for reporting this issue!UPDATE 2/18/26 - version 4.10 was finally approved yesterday.As for statistical improbability - I am using a seeded random generator to shuffle the deck. The random seed for the current game is displayed in the About box. Please send it to me, and I will reply with the complete shuffled deck for your inspection.

Coach improvements.

Version 6.5 Sep 13

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Information

Seller: Vlad Feinstein
Size: 9.7 MB
Category: Board
Compatibility: Requires iOS 18.4 or later.

iPhone
Requires iOS 18.4 or later.

iPad
Requires iPadOS 18.4 or later.

Mac
Requires macOS 15.4 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.

Apple Vision
Requires visionOS 2.4 or later.
Languages: English
Age Rating: 4+

4+

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