Dominoes is a timeless game enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. Its simple mechanics make it easy to learn, yet its strategic depth offers endless hours of engaging gameplay. Whether you’re looking for a fun family activity or a stimulating mental exercise, understanding How To Play Dominoes is a rewarding skill. This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of dominoes, from the basic equipment to the rules of several popular games, ensuring you’re ready to shuffle the tiles and start playing.
Understanding Your Domino Set
A standard double-six domino set is the most common and contains 28 rectangular tiles, often referred to as bones. Each domino is divided into two square ends, and each end is marked with a number of pips (dots) from zero (blank) to six.
The set composition is as follows:
- Doubles: There are seven double dominoes, where both ends have the same number of pips. These range from double-blank (0-0) to double-six (6-6).
- Singles: The remaining 21 dominoes are singles, also known as non-doubles. Each single domino has two ends with different numbers of pips, or one end with pips and the other blank.
Domino Fundamentals: Matching and Gameplay
The core concept in most domino games is matching. Players take turns placing dominoes by connecting one end of a domino they hold to an open end of a domino already on the table. The connected ends must have the same number of pips.
The first domino played in a game is often called the “set” or “lead domino”. Play then expands from this starting point. Dominoes are typically arranged in a line, forming what is known as the “line of play” or “layout”.
Playing Singles and Doubles:
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Singles: Single dominoes are placed end-to-end in a linear fashion, extending the line of play.
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Doubles: Double dominoes are typically placed perpendicular or crosswise to the line of play. They can be played on either side of the line, but not on the ends of another double.
Turning the Line of Play:
In cases where table space becomes limited, players can turn the line of play at a 90-degree angle. This allows the game to continue in a new direction, maximizing the available space. Play continues linearly from any open end of the domino layout.
Starting the Game: Drawing Dominoes and First Play
To begin a game, dominoes are placed face down and mixed thoroughly, often referred to as shuffling the bones. Here’s a common method to determine who starts:
- Drawing for First Turn: Each player draws one domino. The player with the domino showing the highest number of pips (total count of both ends) wins the right to be the first player in the initial game.
- Redrawing and Dealing: The drawn dominoes are returned to the face-down pool and remixed. The player who won the first turn draws first for the hand. Depending on the game and number of players, each player draws a specific number of dominoes to form their hand. This can be done by each player drawing all their dominoes at once or by going around the table, each player drawing one at a time until everyone has the correct number.
- Concealing Dominoes: Players arrange their dominoes so they are visible only to themselves, keeping them hidden from opponents.
Gameplay Basics: Taking Turns and Making Plays
In most domino games, play proceeds clockwise around the table. On their turn, a player must play a domino from their hand if they have one that matches an open end of the domino layout.
- Mandatory Play: If a player has a playable domino, they are generally required to play it. Holding back a playable domino for strategic reasons is typically not allowed unless specified by game variations.
Now, let’s delve into the rules of some popular domino games that are perfect for beginners:
Game #1: Block Dominoes
Block Dominoes is one of the simplest and most fundamental domino games, making it an excellent starting point for new players.
Number of Players: 2 to 4
Objective: To be the first player to empty their hand by playing all of their dominoes. Alternatively, to have the lowest count of pips in your hand when the game is blocked.
Set-Up:
- Dealing: For two players, each player draws seven dominoes. For three or four players, each player draws five dominoes.
- Boneyard: The remaining face-down dominoes form the “boneyard” or “stockpile”. These are available for players to draw from during the game if they cannot make a play (in some variations, not in Block).
Gameplay:
- Starting Player: In the first game, the player who drew the highest domino initially (or in subsequent games, often the winner of the previous round) starts. The first player places any domino from their hand to begin the line of play – this is the “set”.
- Turns: Players take turns clockwise. On their turn, a player must attempt to play a domino from their hand that matches either open end of the domino layout. Singles are played end-to-end, and doubles are played crosswise. Plays can be made on either end of a single domino or on the sides of a double domino (not on the ends of a double).
- Blocked Player: If a player cannot make a legal play because they have no dominoes that match the open ends, they are “blocked”. In Block Dominoes, a blocked player simply passes their turn. They do not draw from the boneyard in this version of the game.
- Game End: The game ends in one of two ways:
- Domino! A player successfully plays their last domino, announcing “Domino!”. This player wins the hand immediately.
- Blocked Game: All players are blocked, meaning no one can make a legal play, and no one has any dominoes left to draw (in variations where drawing is allowed, and the boneyard is empty). In this case, the hand is also over.
Scoring (Block Dominoes):
- Winning by “Domino”: The player who goes out scores points equal to the total number of pips on all the dominoes remaining in their opponents’ hands.
- Blocked Game Scoring: If the game is blocked, all players reveal their remaining dominoes and count the total pips. The player with the lowest pip count is the winner of the hand. They score points equal to the total pips in all opponents’ hands. (A scoring variation exists where the winner’s score is the total pips of opponents minus the winner’s own pips, but the standard is just the opponents’ pips).
- Tie-breaker: In case of a tie in a blocked game (multiple players with the lowest pip count), the player holding the single domino with the lowest total pip count among the tied players is the winner.
Winning the Game (Block Dominoes):
Games are typically played to a predetermined score, such as 100 or 200 points. The first player to reach or exceed the agreed-upon score wins the overall game. Points accumulate from each hand played.
Game #2: Draw Dominoes
Draw Dominoes is a variation of Block Dominoes that introduces drawing from the boneyard, adding another layer of strategy and reducing the likelihood of a blocked game.
Rules Differences from Block Dominoes:
- Drawing from the Boneyard: The key difference is what happens when a player cannot make a play. In Draw Dominoes, instead of simply passing their turn, a player must draw dominoes from the boneyard until they draw a domino that they can legally play. If they draw a playable domino, they immediately play it. If the boneyard runs out of playable dominoes for them, or if they draw all but the very last few dominoes (rule varies: sometimes last two in 2-player, last one in 4-player games cannot be drawn), and still cannot play, then they pass their turn.
All other rules, including set-up, gameplay (other than drawing), ending the game, and scoring, are identical to Block Dominoes.
Simple Strategy for Block and Draw:
- Observe Your Hand: Look at the numbers you have in abundance. If you have many dominoes with the number ‘2’, for example, try to play a ‘2’ early to create opportunities for future plays on your next turn, assuming no one else plays all the ‘2’s first.
- Deduce Opponent’s Hands: As dominoes are played, pay attention to the numbers appearing on the open ends. Since you know all 28 dominoes in a double-six set, you can start to deduce which numbers and potentially which specific dominoes your opponents might be holding based on what has and has not been played.
Winning the Game (Draw Dominoes): Same as Block Dominoes, reach a target score like 100 or 200 points.
Game #3: Muggins (All Fives)
Muggins, also known as All Fives, introduces scoring during gameplay, making it a more dynamic and potentially faster-paced game than Block or Draw.
Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4 (individual or teams of two)
Objective: To score points during each play by making the open ends of the domino layout total a multiple of five. To also score points at the end of the hand based on opponents’ remaining dominoes.
Set-Up:
- Dealing: Each player draws five dominoes.
- Boneyard: Remaining dominoes form the boneyard.
Gameplay:
- Play: Similar to Block and Draw, players take turns playing dominoes that match the open ends of the layout. Singles are played end-to-end, and doubles are played crosswise. You cannot play off the ends of a double once it’s placed (in the standard version, see variations below). Play proceeds clockwise.
- Scoring During Play: In Muggins, you can score points on each turn you make a play. The goal is to make the sum of the pips on the open ends of the domino layout a multiple of five (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.). For each multiple of five, you score one point.
Examples of Scoring:
Open ends are 1 and 4, total is 5. Score: 1 point.
Open ends are 6, 6, and 3, total is 15. Score: 3 points. (Note: Double ends are counted if they are at the end of the line of play.)
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Drawing from the Boneyard: If a player cannot make a play from their hand, they must draw from the boneyard until they draw a playable domino. In a 2-player game, all but two dominoes can be drawn. In a 3 or 4-player game, all but one can be drawn. If they draw a playable domino, they must play it immediately and score if applicable. If they cannot draw a playable domino after exhausting the boneyard (or reaching the draw limit), they pass their turn.
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Ending the Hand: A hand ends when a player plays their last domino and calls “Domino!”. It also ends if no player can make a play and the boneyard is depleted (down to the last one or two undrawable dominoes).
Scoring at the End of the Hand:
When a hand ends, the player (or team) who went out, or who has the lowest count in a blocked game, also scores points based on the pips remaining in their opponents’ hands.
- For every multiple of 5 pips in the opponents’ hands, the winner scores one point.
- Counts of 1 or 2 pips above a multiple of 5 do not score extra points.
- Counts of 3 or 4 pips above a multiple of 5 are rounded up to the next multiple of 5 for scoring.
Example End-of-Hand Scoring:
- Opponents’ pips total 5: Score 1 point
- Opponents’ pips total 7: Score 1 point
- Opponents’ pips total 8: Score 2 points
- Opponents’ pips total 12: Score 2 points
- Opponents’ pips total 18: Score 4 points
Winning the Game (Muggins):
The game continues until a player or team accumulates 61 points or more. This is the standard target score, but you can adjust it to lengthen or shorten the game.
Variations of Muggins:
- Variation #1: Playing off Double Ends: In the basic game, you can only play off the sides of doubles, not the ends, after the double is initially placed. A variation allows playing off the ends of the first double played in the game, adding more play options.
- Variation #2: Calling “Muggins”: If a player makes a play that results in a score (a multiple of 5), but fails to notice and announce it, another player can call “Muggins” before the next domino is played. The player who called “Muggins” then receives the missed score. This adds an element of alertness and strategy to the game.
Game #4: Five-Up or All Fives (Tournament Style)
Five-Up, also often called All Fives (and sometimes confused with Muggins, though distinct), is a more complex and strategic scoring game popular in tournaments and among serious domino players.
Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4 (individual or teams)
Objective: To outscore opponents by making the open ends total multiples of five on each play, and to score points at the end of the hand.
Set-Up:
- Dealing: Each player starts with 5 dominoes.
- Starting Player: Determined as in previous games (highest drawn domino initially).
Gameplay Differences from Muggins:
- Expanded Play Options: The primary difference in Five-Up is the more flexible rules for playing off doubles. In Five-Up:
- Each end of a single domino can only be played on once. After a single domino has been played off at both ends, it is considered “cut off” for scoring purposes.
- A double domino, however, can be played on both sides and both ends before it is considered cut off. This creates many more branching possibilities in the layout.
- After playing off a double, the line of play can continue in a new direction from the newly opened end of the double.
Count is 4 + 6 = 10. Score: 2 points.
Count is 4 + 2 = 6. No score (not a multiple of 5).
Count is 3 + 4 = 7. No score (not a multiple of 5).
The original 5-5 double is cut off. Count is 2 + 4 + 1 + 0 = 7. No score.
- Scoring During Play: Scoring is the same as in Muggins. Count the pips on the open ends of the layout after each play. If the total is a multiple of 5, divide by 5 to determine the score for that play.
Example Scoring:
Ending the Game and Winning (Five-Up):
- Ending the Hand: A hand ends when a player plays their last domino.
- End-of-Hand Scoring: The player (or team) who goes out scores points based on the pips in their opponents’ hands, using the same scoring method as in Muggins (multiples of 5, rounding up 3 or 4 pips above a multiple of 5).
- Blocked Game: If the game is blocked (no plays possible), the player or team with the lowest pip count in hand scores points based on the opponents’ hands, again using the Muggins scoring formula for remaining pips.
- Winning the Game: The first player or team to reach 61 points wins the game.
Beyond the Basics: Exploring Domino Strategy and Resources
Mastering the basic rules of dominoes is just the beginning. As you play more, you’ll discover deeper strategic elements. Consider these tips:
- Hand Management: Pay attention to the dominoes in your hand and try to play in a way that opens up future possibilities for yourself while potentially blocking your opponents.
- Counting Dominoes: Especially in games like Block and Draw, keeping track of which dominoes have been played can help you deduce what your opponents might be holding and make more informed decisions.
- Strategic Blocking: In Block Dominoes, sometimes strategically blocking the game to force a low-score win is a viable tactic.
- Scoring Plays: In Muggins and Five-Up, prioritize plays that score points during the game, but balance this with also trying to empty your hand or avoid being blocked.
Further Learning Resources:
For those wanting to delve deeper into dominoes, particularly Five-Up strategy, the works of Dominic C. Armanino are highly recommended. His book “Dominoes…Five-Up and Other Games Including Official Rules and Odds” is a classic, though out of print, but can often be found online. Jennifer A. Kelley’s “The Great Book of Domino Games” is a more modern and comprehensive resource for learning a wide variety of domino games.
Enjoy the Game!
Dominoes is a game that offers something for everyone. Its blend of simplicity and strategy makes it accessible to beginners while providing enough depth to challenge experienced players. Gather your friends or family, learn these basic rules, and start enjoying the timeless fun of dominoes!
