Dominoes is a classic game that can be enjoyed by two, three, or four players. The game can also be adapted into a partnership format when played with four individuals, where teammates sit opposite each other.
The game starts by mixing the dominoes face down on the table, a process often referred to as "shuffling." Each player selects one domino. The one who picks the highest double, or if no double is drawn, the highest pip count, gets the privilege to lead the game. After determining the first player, dominoes are reshuffled, and each player draws seven dominoes to create their hand. The leftover dominoes form the "boneyard" and are left face down; these can be drawn from later if a player cannot make a play.
Points are scored by placing dominoes end to end with matching numbers on each touching end. When the open ends' pips sum up to any multiple of five, the player scores that many points. The initial double played, known as the "spinner," can be built off from all four sides. Subsequent doubles are placed perpendicularly to the line, and their total pips are counted towards the score. When a player plays all their dominoes, it is called "dominoing." The pips on the opponents' remaining dominoes are totaled and rounded to the nearest five, then added to the scoring player's tally. In partnership play, the partner's pips are not counted if their teammate has "dominoed."
The dominoes are thoroughly mixed, creating the nostalgic sound of clattering tiles that has echoed through time. Each participant draws six dominoes and keeps them hidden from the others. Players can arrange their tiles on the edge facing them or in two rows of three, allowing for easy handling (a method popular in English pubs, allowing the free hand to hold a pint). The dominoes left over become the "sleeping" tiles.
The player holding the highest double starts the game, typically the double-six. This player must lead with this double. If no double is held by any player, the dominoes are shuffled and redrawn.
Players take turns adding dominoes to the open ends of the domino chain, matching the number of pips at one end. The goal is to create a chain where the strategy includes "stitching up" the ends, meaning both ends of the chain display the same number, usually advantageous to the player and disadvantageous to the opponents.
Non-double tiles are placed with matching ends adjacent to each other. Doubles are laid across the chain's end, and tiles played to a double must be perpendicular, connecting at the double's midpoint. The chain develops unpredictably, snaking around the playing area according to the players' whims and spatial constraints.
If a player can make a play, they must do so. If not, they "knock" or tap the table, and play passes to the next player.
The round typically ends when a player has played all their dominoes (known as "chipping out"). However, some variations require that both partners chip out to conclude the game. If the game reaches a stalemate where no further plays can be made, the winners are the team with the lowest combined total of pips on their remaining dominoes.
Different scoring methods can be employed, from simple point-per-game to using a cribbage board for a more complex tally, where the sum of all pips on the opponents' remaining tiles constitutes the score. In some cases, the difference in the total pips between the winning and losing team's dominoes is calculated as the final score. A game may extend to a pre-determined point threshold, such as 100 or 121 points on a cribbage board.
Dominoes can be played with varying numbers of players and tiles. Two-player games may begin with eight tiles each, three players with six tiles, five players with five tiles, or four players without partnerships. Additionally, larger domino sets such as double-twelve (91 tiles) or double-nine (55 tiles) introduce more extended gameplay. With these sets, the number of starting tiles adjusts accordingly—for example, 12 tiles per person in a four-player game with a double-twelve set.
Each game variant requires different strategies and alters the dynamics of the game.
The Draw Game is a popular variation where players start with fewer dominoes than in the Block game. Unable to place a domino, a player must draw from the boneyard. Once the boneyard is depleted, players simply pass if they cannot make a play.
This variation influences strategy significantly, as players know all tiles will eventually come into play, allowing for better prediction of opponents' tiles. Conversely, the Block game retains an element of unpredictability since some tiles remain unknown and "sleeping" throughout the game.