Dominoes are played with rectangular tiles, each split into two ends marked with pips. The standard set is double-six: 28 tiles from blank-blank to six-six. The basic rule is the same in every version - match the number on your tile to an open end of the line.
Setup
- Shuffle the tiles face down. This pile is the boneyard.
- Each player draws tiles: 7 tiles each with two players, 5 tiles each with three or four players.
- Stand your tiles on edge so other players cannot see them.
- The player with the highest double usually plays first. If nobody has a double, the highest-pip tile leads.
Block dominoes
Players take turns placing one tile so that one end matches an open end of the line. Doubles are placed crosswise. If you cannot play, you pass. The hand ends when a player plays their last tile ("domino!") or when nobody can play.
Draw dominoes
The same as block dominoes, except that a player who cannot play must draw from the boneyard until they find a tile that fits. Once the boneyard is empty, players pass when they cannot play. Draw dominoes is the most common version in North America.
Scoring
The player who goes out scores the total pips left in all opponents' hands. If the game is blocked, the player with the lowest pip count wins the total of everyone else's pips (some players subtract their own). Play to 100 or 150 points.
All Fives (Muggins)
In this popular scoring variation, you score during play: whenever the open ends of the line add up to a multiple of five, you score that total. For example, if the open ends show 6 and 4, you score 10. The first double played becomes a spinner that can be played on all four sides, opening more scoring options. Games are usually played to 150 or 250.
Dominoes strategy for beginners
- Play heavy tiles early. High-pip tiles cost you the most if you get stuck with them.
- Keep variety in your hand. Holding many different numbers means you can almost always play.
- Track the numbers. Each number appears on exactly seven tiles. If six of the fives are visible, the last five is the only one left.
- Block deliberately. If your opponent passed on a number, they do not have it - try to keep that number at the open ends.
- Get rid of doubles. Doubles only match one number, so they are the hardest tiles to play late.
