Dominoes are a fun way to help your kids develop spatial awareness and colour recognition. They also enhance fine motor ability and hand-eye coordination.

Each player draws the number of dominoes permitted by the rules of the game. A player may draw extra tiles from the stock to “buy” (see Passing and Byeing) later in the game.

Rules

There are many different types of domino games. While most of them have similar rules, the specifics of each game are determined by its own unique set of rules. These rules may be influenced by the culture in which the game is played, or by the rules of a particular tournament.

Once the tiles are shuffled, the players draw one tile each to determine who will play first. Typically, the player who draws the highest double goes first. If there is a tie, it is broken by drawing additional dominoes from the stock.

On a subsequent turn, each player must place a domino on the table so that at least one of its numbers matches an adjacent number on another domino that has been placed previously on the line of play. This is referred to as matching along the long side of the domino. Depending on the rules of the game, it may also be possible to match along the short side of the domino.

Materials

There are many different types of dominoes available, and the material chosen for a particular set can influence game play. Some of the more common materials include plastic, metal, and wood. Some are mass-produced for use in games while others are handcrafted for high quality.

Dominoes are small rectangular blocks with a line down the middle to divide them visually into two squares, each marked with an arrangement of dots resembling those on dice. One side of the domino is labeled with a value, such as six pips, while the other is blank or has no value.

The surface of a domino is usually covered with baize, a cloth that provides a balance of grip and slide. The fabric also cushions and mutes sound to create a pleasant playing experience. The material is also used in a variety of other applications, including table tennis and dartboards. Dominoes can be printed with a wide variety of textures, including raised and grainy feels, metallics, or glossy effects.

Variations

There are many variations in domino. Some use the same basic rules as Block and others add elements of strategy, luck or skill. Some games have a different scoring system. For example, in a game called Chicken Foot the player who wins gains points by counting all of the exposed ends of his or her opponents’ tiles left in their hands at the end of a hand or game (remember that doubles count as one tile).

Another variation is to use multicolored dominoes. These are fun for all ages. They can also be used to create new games, like the popular Domino Tower. In this game players build a tower that must be stable enough to stand for their turn but precarious enough to fall on the next player’s turn. This game encourages players to think out their moves and makes the game more exciting. It is also a good way to practice counting the number of revealed dominoes and those in your own hand.

Scoring

The scoring system used in domino can make or break a game. The most common scoring systems involve counting the number of dots or pips on each end of the domino, summing them up, and adding that value to a player’s score. Other methods are used, especially for large sets of domino, where identifying the number of pips can be difficult.

In a domino game, the first player (determined by drawing lots or by determining who holds the heaviest tile) begins playing by placing the heaviest domino on the table. The next player then plays a tile that matches the value of the last domino played, and so on.

Depending on the game, the chain of dominoes can grow to a length of several meters. The resulting snake-line shape of the chain is a large part of the enjoyment. New tiles are placed on the exposed ends of the domino that match, and doubles can be played at right-angles to a existing domino that matches its value.