← Back to All Guides

🁣

Dominoes

The Classic Tile-Matching Game

👥 2-4 Players 🁣 28 Tiles (Double-6) ⏱️ 15-30 Minutes 📊 Easy

🎯

Objective

Be first to play all tiles

🔢

Match By

Matching pip counts

🏆

Winner Gets

Opponents' pip totals

🎯

Target

Usually 100 points

What is Dominoes?

Dominoes is a classic tile game where players take turns placing domino tiles end-to-end, matching the pip (dot) counts on touching ends. The goal is to be the first player to play all your tiles!

Each domino tile is divided into two ends, each showing 0-6 pips. Tiles must be played by matching one end to an open end on the table.

🁣

The Double-Six Set

A standard set has 28 tiles, from [0-0] (blank-blank) to [6-6]. Each combination appears exactly once.

Setup

Shuffle the Tiles

Place all 28 tiles face-down on the table and mix them thoroughly. This pile is called the "boneyard."
Draw Your Hand

2 players: 7 tiles each
3 players: 6 tiles each
4 players: 5 tiles each
Keep Tiles Hidden

Stand your tiles on edge so only you can see them. Don't let opponents see your tiles!
Determine First Player

Player with the highest double goes first (double-6, then double-5, etc.). If no doubles, highest tile goes first.

Playing the Game

First Tile

The first player places their highest double (or any tile) in the center of the table.
Match and Play

On your turn, play one tile by matching one of its ends to an open end on the table. The matching numbers touch.
Can't Play? Draw (or Pass)

If you can't match any open end, you must draw from the boneyard until you can play (or pass if boneyard is empty).
Doubles Are Perpendicular

Doubles (like 4-4 or 6-6) are placed perpendicular to the line. They open two new ends for play.

💡

Playing a Tile

Example: If a 5 is open on the table, you can play any tile with a 5 on one end: [5-0], [5-1], [5-2], [5-3], [5-4], [5-5], or [5-6].

Ending the Round

A round ends when:

Someone "dominoes": Plays their last tile - they win the round!
The game is "blocked": No one can play and the boneyard is empty. Player with lowest pip total wins.

🔒

Blocked Game

When no one can play, count the pips on each player's remaining tiles. Lowest total wins and scores the difference.

Basic Scoring

When someone wins a round (by going out or having lowest pips in a block):

Winner Scores

Sum of ALL opponents' remaining pips + points

Example

Player A goes out!

Player B has: [3-4], [6-1] 14 pips

Player C has: [5-5], [2-0] 12 pips

Player A scores 26 points

Scoring in a Blocked Game

If no one can play (blocked), count each player's remaining pips. The player with the lowest total wins and scores:

Blocked Game Example

Player A total 8 pips - LOWEST!

Player B total 15 pips

Player C total 12 pips

Player A scores (15+12-8) 19 points

Winning the Game

Play multiple rounds. First player to reach 100 points wins!

📝

Alternative Targets

50 points - Quick game
100 points - Standard
150 points - Extended game

Popular Variations

Draw Dominoes (Draw Game) ▼

The most common variation, described in "How to Play" above.

Can't play? Draw from boneyard until you can
Must play if you can
Boneyard may be exhausted

Block Dominoes (Block Game) ▼

Similar to draw, but NO drawing from boneyard!

Can't play? Simply pass your turn
Boneyard stays untouched all game
More strategic - must plan ahead!

Muggins (All Fives) ▼

Score points during play, not just at round end!

Score points when open ends total a multiple of 5
Example: Ends show 3+2 = 5 points!
Example: Ends show 6+4 = 10 points!
Much more strategic gameplay

Mexican Train ▼

Popular family variant with personal "trains."

Each player has their own line of dominoes
There's also a communal "Mexican train"
Usually uses double-12 set
Place a marker when you can't play

Chicken Foot ▼

Fun variation where doubles create branching "chicken feet."

When a double is played, 3 tiles must be played off it
Creates a chicken foot shape
No one else can play until foot is complete
Often played with double-9 set

Different Domino Sets

Common Set Sizes

Double-6 28 tiles (most common)

Double-9 55 tiles

Double-12 91 tiles

Double-15 136 tiles

Basic Tips

Play Doubles Early

Doubles can only match one number. Get them out while you have options!
Spread Your Numbers

Try to keep a variety of numbers in your hand so you'll likely be able to play.
Watch What's Played

If four 5's have been played, anyone holding tiles with 5's might get stuck!
Control the Ends

Try to make ends match numbers you have plenty of, limiting opponents' options.

Advanced Strategy

💡

Count Tiles

Each number (0-6) appears 7 times in the set. If you see 6 sixes played, only one six remains!

💡

Block Opponents

If an opponent passes on a certain number, they don't have it! Play that number to make them draw.

💡

End Game Pip Count

If a block seems likely, start playing your highest-pip tiles to reduce your potential penalty!

Common Mistakes

❌

Hoarding Doubles

Saving doubles for later often backfires. They're the hardest tiles to play - use them early!

❌

Not Tracking Numbers

Pay attention to what's played! If you know all the 6's are out, don't leave a 6 as an open end.

❌

Ignoring High-Pip Tiles

In a blocked game, high-pip tiles hurt! Don't save [6-6] hoping to play it - the risk isn't worth it.