I agree that something should be done to eliminate white's huge advantage. Possibly the first player could place two white pieces and one black piece and then the next opponent could choose which color they then want to be....like swap-five-in-line. (I think that was one of Mirjam's idea).

BBW's idea of capturing against the wall is interesting....will make for new strategies.

I also like Fencer's idea of limiting the very first move white can make. Or possibly having a standard white move like in pente.

OK...so basically I have no ideas of my own but the previous ideas are great and I do think something should be done.