Dominoes, with their satisfying click and tactical depth, have been a beloved pastime for centuries. Simple to learn yet rich in strategy, they’re perfect for family game nights, casual gatherings, or a quiet evening with a friend. While many variations exist, this guide will walk you through the most common and foundational version, often referred to as “Block” or “Draw” dominoes, using a standard double-six set.
What You’ll Need:
- A Set of Dominoes: A standard double-six (28 tiles) set is ideal for 2-4 players. Larger sets (double-nine, double-twelve) allow for more players or more complex games.
- A Flat Surface: A table is perfect for laying out the tiles.
- 2-4 Players: Dominoes works well with two, three, or four players.
Understanding the Dominoes:
Each domino tile is a rectangular piece divided into two square ends. Each end has a certain number of dots, called “pips,” ranging from zero (blank) to six (for a double-six set).
- Standard Tiles: Most tiles have different numbers on each end (e.g., 2-5, 0-3).
- Doubles: Tiles with the same number on both ends (e.g., 6-6, 0-0). These are often played perpendicularly to the main “train” of dominoes.
- The “Boneyard” or “Stock”: This is the pile of face-down dominoes that players draw from during the game.
Setting Up the Game:
- Shuffle the Tiles: Place all the dominoes face down on the table and thoroughly mix them up. This is often called “shuffling” or “making soup.”
- Draw Your Hand: Each player draws a certain number of tiles without looking at their opponents’ hands.
- 2 Players: Each player draws 7 tiles.
- 3-4 Players: Each player draws 5 tiles.
- The Boneyard: The remaining face-down tiles form the boneyard.
How to Play:
The goal of the game is typically to be the first player to play all of your dominoes, or to have the fewest pips remaining in your hand if the game gets “blocked.” Games are often played to a target score (e.g., 100 points) over multiple rounds.
- Starting the Game (The Lead Tile):
- The player with the highest double (e.g., 6-6) usually goes first and places that tile in the center of the playing area. If no one has a double, the player with the highest-scoring tile (e.g., 6-5) can start.
- Alternatively, players can agree to just have the player who drew the highest double start.
- Taking Your Turn:
- Play proceeds clockwise around the table.
- On your turn, you must match one of the open ends on the domino “train” that has been laid out.
- Example: If the lead tile is a 6-6, and the next player plays a 6-3, the open ends are now the 6 (from the 6-6) and the 3 (from the 6-3).
- You can only attach a tile to an end that matches one of its own numbers.
- Playing Doubles: When a double is played, it’s typically placed perpendicularly to the tile it connects to. For standard Block/Draw, it still only has two “open” ends (the ends pointing away from the tile it connected to).
- Drawing from the Boneyard:
- If you cannot play a tile from your hand, you must draw one tile at a time from the boneyard until you draw a playable tile.
- If you draw a playable tile, you must play it immediately.
- If the boneyard runs out and you still cannot play, you “pass” your turn.
- Passing Your Turn:
- If you cannot make a legal move AND there are no more tiles in the boneyard to draw, you must pass your turn. The play moves to the next player.
Winning a Round:
A round can end in two ways:
- “Domino!” (Going Out): The first player to successfully play all of their dominoes wins the round. When this happens, they call out “Domino!”
- “Blocked” Game: If no player can make a legal move (either because they have no matching tiles and the boneyard is empty, or no player can make a move at all), the game is “blocked.”
Scoring (for multiple rounds to a target score):
If playing to a target score (e.g., 100 or 200 points):
- If a Player “Goes Out”: The player who “Dominoes!” wins the round and scores points based on the value of the pips remaining in their opponents’ hands. All pips in opponents’ hands are added up and awarded to the winner.
- If the Game is “Blocked”: All players turn their remaining tiles face up. The player with the lowest total number of pips in their hand wins the round. That player then scores the total pips from all other players’ hands. (In case of a tie for lowest, the tied players split the score, or all other players’ scores are added to the next lowest player if there’s no tie for the lowest).
The overall game continues with new rounds until a player reaches the agreed-upon target score.
Tips for Success:
- Watch the Ends: Always be aware of the open ends of the domino train.
- Keep Track of Played Tiles: Especially for advanced play, knowing which numbers have been played (and thus which are left in the boneyard or opponents’ hands) can be a huge advantage. Pay attention to the “doubles” as they are unique.
- Strategize Your High Tiles: Try to get rid of your high-value tiles early on if possible, so you don’t get stuck with many points in a blocked game.
- Block Your Opponent: If you notice an opponent repeatedly drawing or passing, and you have a tile that could block the available numbers, consider playing it to limit their options.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Draw: Sometimes drawing from the boneyard gives you the exact tile you need, or even a double that could open up more plays.
Beyond the Basics:
Once you’ve mastered “Block” and “Draw,” a vast world of domino games awaits! Popular variations include:
- Mexican Train: A very popular game where players build their own “trains” from a central hub, with a “public” train available.
- Chicken Foot: Creates unique “chicken foot” formations with doubles.
- Muggins / All Fives: Awards points not just for winning the round, but also for making the open ends add up to a multiple of five as you play.
Gather your friends, shuffle those tiles, and prepare to enjoy the satisfying click and strategic fun of dominoes!
