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Dominoes is a tile-matching game played with rectangular tiles that have a number of dots (or blank) at each end. Players take turns adding tiles to a shared line by matching one end to the same number of dots on the table. The aim is to be the first player to use all the tiles in your hand.

The tiles

The standard traditional set is a double-six set. It contains every pair from blank-blank through to six-six, with each exact tile appearing once. The tiles that have the same number on both ends are called doubles. Larger sets, such as double-nine or double-twelve, are used for some variants and for games with more players.

Setup

Turn all tiles face down and shuffle them, each player then draws a hand. In many casual two-player games each player draws seven tiles; with more players, drawing five tiles is common.

Draw or Block

The two common versions are Draw Dominoes and Block Dominoes. Both use the same basic matching rule: place a tile so one end matches an open end on the table. The difference is what happens to the leftover tiles and what you do when you cannot play. In Draw Dominoes, the leftover face-down tiles become a draw pile, traditionally called the boneyard. If you cannot play, you take tiles from it until you can play or until it is empty. In Block Dominoes, there is no draw pile after the hands are dealt; if you cannot play, you pass, which is often called knocking.

Matching tiles

A common starting rule is that the player with the highest double begins. Each player checks their own hand; six-six is highest, then five-five, four-four, and so on. If nobody has a double, each player can reveal only their highest-total tile, and the highest-total tile starts. After that, each new tile must match one of the open ends. If the open end is a six, you must place a tile with a six on one end against it.

Doubles

A double has the same number on both ends, such as two-two or six-six. Doubles are normally placed crosswise so they are easy to spot. They still count as one tile and the line continues from the matching number.

Taking turns

Play moves clockwise around the table. On your turn you must place exactly one tile so that one of its ends matches an open end of the line. If you have a valid tile you must play it; you cannot skip voluntarily. If you cannot play, you either draw from the boneyard (Draw Dominoes) or knock and pass (Block Dominoes). Once you place a tile or confirm you cannot play, the turn passes to the next player. You may not take back a tile once it has been placed.

How to play

1. Shuffle and draw. Place all tiles face down, mix them, and let each player draw a starting hand.
2. Start the line. The player with the highest double places it first. If nobody has a double, players reveal their heaviest tile only, and the highest total number of dots starts.
3. Take turns matching. On your turn, place one tile so that one end matches an open end of the line.
4. Handle a blocked turn. In Draw Dominoes, take from the boneyard until you can play or until the boneyard is empty. In Block Dominoes, pass immediately if you cannot play. Passing because you cannot play is often called knocking.
5. Finish the round. A player who places their last tile wins the round. A round can also end when nobody can make a legal move.

Some groups choose the first player differently. One easy method is for each player to draw one test tile before the deal; the highest tile wins the first move, then those test tiles are shuffled back in. In multi-round games, the winner of the previous round often starts the next round.

Scoring

Dominoes has many scoring variants. A simple method is to play rounds until someone empties their hand, then give that player the total number of dots left in the other players' hands. In Block Dominoes, a round can also end when nobody can move; the player with the lowest dot total usually wins the round.

Strategy

• Keep options open. A hand with several different numbers is easier to play than a hand full of one number.
• Use high tiles carefully. High-dot tiles can cost points if you are left holding them, so it is often useful to play them before the round closes.
• Notice what opponents cannot play. If a player draws or passes when a five is open, they may not have a five.
• Control the open ends. Changing both open numbers can make the next player draw or pass.
• Count common numbers. In a double-six set, each number appears on seven different tiles, so played tiles can tell you what may still be hidden.

History

Domino-like tile games have a long history in China. The European form of dominoes developed later and became widely played in countries such as Italy and France during the eighteenth century. Modern dominoes now covers many related games, from simple draw and block games to scoring games such as All Fives.

Variations

• Draw Dominoes. Players draw from the boneyard when they cannot play.
• Block Dominoes. Players pass or knock when they cannot play, with no extra drawing.
• All Fives or Muggins. Players score during the round when the open ends add up to a multiple of five.
• Mexican Train. Players build personal lines called trains, plus a shared Mexican train.
• Chickenfoot. Doubles create branching plays that must be filled before normal play continues.
• Matador. Touching ends must add up to a target total, usually seven, instead of matching the same number.