Playing domino bricks, often simply called dominoes, is a classic tabletop game enjoyed by people of all ages. The fundamental objective is to be the first player to empty your hand of dominoes by matching the numbers on their ends to the open ends of the dominoes already played on the table.
Understanding Dominoes
A standard set of dominoes, known as a "double-six" set, contains 28 rectangular tiles. Each tile is divided into two squares, with each square featuring a certain number of spots (or pips) ranging from zero (blank) to six. Doubles, such as 6-6 or 3-3, have the same number on both ends.
Setting Up the Game
Before you can start playing, a few steps are necessary to get the game ready.
Players and Set Selection
- Players: Dominoes can be played with 2 to 4 players, though some variations accommodate more.
- Domino Set: The most common set is the double-six, but larger sets (like double-nine or double-twelve) are available for more players or longer games.
Shuffling and Drawing Tiles
- Shuffling: Place all dominoes face down on a flat surface and thoroughly mix them up, often referred to as "shuffling the bones."
- Drawing Tiles: Each player then draws a specific number of tiles from the shuffled pile. The number depends on the players:
- 2 Players: Each draws 7 tiles.
- 3 Players: Each draws 5 tiles.
- 4 Players: Each draws 5 tiles.
- The Boneyard: Any remaining face-down dominoes form the "boneyard" or "stock," from which players will draw if they cannot make a move. Players keep their drawn tiles hidden from opponents.
Starting the Game
The game begins with a "lead" or "down" domino.
- First Play: Typically, the player with the highest double (e.g., 6-6, then 5-5, etc.) starts the game by placing that domino face up in the center of the table. If no player has a double, the player with the domino that has the highest total number of spots (e.g., 6-5 before 6-4) goes first.
- Alternative Start: Another common rule is for players to simply draw a single tile to determine who goes first, with the highest number starting. The tiles are then returned to the boneyard and reshuffled.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
The game revolves around matching domino ends.
- Matching Ends: After the first domino is played, the player to their left takes their turn. The core of playing dominoes involves matching the numbers on the ends of your dominoes to the open ends of the dominoes already on the table.
- Two Open Ends: Crucially, there are only ever two open ends in the line of play at any given time, regardless of how long the chain becomes. For instance, if the current open ends are a 'five' and a 'four', the next player must play a domino that has a 'five' or a 'four' on one of its sides. If a player successfully matches the 'five', then the new open ends would be the 'four' and whatever number is on the other end of the newly played domino.
- Continuing the Chain: Players continue to take turns, attaching their dominoes to the open ends of the existing chain. Doubled dominoes are usually placed perpendicularly to the line of play, sometimes called "spinners," allowing for play in four directions in some variants.
- Drawing from the Boneyard: If a player cannot make a match from their hand, they must draw one domino at a time from the boneyard until they can play a tile. If the boneyard is empty and they still cannot play, they "pass" their turn.
- Play Continues: Play then moves to the next player, who continues to look for a match against the newly formed open ends.
Key Rules Summary
| Rule Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Objective | Be the first to play all your dominoes. |
| Open Ends | Only two open ends exist in the line of play for matching. |
| Matching | Play a domino by matching its end to an open end on the table. |
| Doubles | Often played perpendicularly; can sometimes be "spinners." |
| No Play | Draw from the boneyard until a play is possible, or pass if boneyard is empty. |
Winning the Game
A round of dominoes typically ends in one of two ways:
- "Dominoing" (Going Out): The most common way to win is to be the first player to play all the dominoes from their hand. When a player plays their last domino, they shout "Domino!" (or a similar declaration) to signal their win.
- Blocked Game: If no player can make a move and the boneyard is empty, the game is "blocked." In this scenario, players reveal their remaining dominoes, and the player with the fewest total spots on their remaining dominoes wins the round. If there's a tie, the player with the lightest single domino (or lowest double) might win, depending on house rules.
Scoring
In many domino games, the winner of a round scores points based on the unplayed dominoes remaining in their opponents' hands. The total number of spots on the opponents' remaining dominoes is added up and awarded to the winner. A game is often played to a predetermined score, such as 100 or 200 points.
Variations and Other Games
While the "Block" game described above is fundamental, dominoes offer a rich variety of games, each with its own twists:
- Draw Game: Similar to Block, but players must draw from the boneyard until they can play, even if it means drawing all available tiles.
- Muggins (All Fives): Players score points not only by winning the round but also during play whenever the total of the open ends adds up to a multiple of five (e.g., 5, 10, 15, etc.).
- Mexican Train: A popular variation that uses a double-twelve set and involves building individual "trains" from a central hub, in addition to a shared "Mexican Train."
Dominoes offers a blend of strategy and luck, making it an engaging pastime for casual and serious players alike.
