To begin a domino game, the players draw tiles for their hand. The player who draws the highest double begins play. Alternatively, the player with the heaviest single may start the game.
Some games involve comparing the number of pips on remaining domino tiles to determine the winner. These pips are then added to the winning player’s score.
Rules
In most domino games, players place tiles in a line with matching ends touching (1s touch 2s, and so on). Then they score points when the exposed end of the tile is a multiple of 5. In some games additional pips can be scored when a domino is played to either side of a double.
Initially, each player draws seven dominoes and then decides who starts (this can be decided by drawing lots or by the player holding the heaviest hand). The person with the highest double usually begins, but this is not always true.
After a hand is played, the pips on the remaining tiles are compared and the winning player is the one with the lowest number of pips. This is also known as chipping out. If no more tiles can be played, the game is over. The players then draw extra dominoes from the stock, adding them to their existing hand. Any overdraws are returned to the stock and the deck should be reshuffled before another player draws his hand.
Materials
Dominoes come in a variety of different materials. Typically, the cheaper ones are made from plastics or wood while more expensive sets tend to be made from high quality materials. The type of material is not necessarily important to the average domino player but it can improve the overall playing experience for more veteran players.
Dominoes are small rectangular blocks marked with groups of dots on one side. They are used for various games. They are usually twice as long as they are wide and can be stacked on each other. The identifying marks on a domino are called pips, which resemble the spots on a die.
In the 19th century, craftsmen began to use tinplate to make domino pieces instead of bone or ivory. This was followed closely by Bakelite, a type of plastic created by Leo Baekeland. Modern mass produced dominoes are made from materials such as plastic, metals, wood and stone. Those are the types that you’re likely to find in most stores.
Variations
Dominoes are arranged in sets that can be used to play a variety of domino games. Each domino has a pair of identical ends that are marked with an arrangement of dots or pips. Each end is assigned a value, usually in the form of numbers from five to three. The number of pips on each end is used to identify the domino and determine its rank or weight.
A typical domino game involves a player starting with a double tile and then adding to their train on each turn. Players may also add to other players’ trains, though at a limit of one tile per turn. The game continues until a player has cleared their hand and earns the winning score.
Some domino games use a special tile called a matador, which acts as a wild card and can be played on any end of the train. Other variants include a game that uses a spinner, which is a special tile with a central circle that acts as a “wild” in a similar way to the matador.
Scoring
Dominoes are shaped to have two square ends, each bearing a number from zero up to six. The most common set contains 28 tiles, but larger sets exist. Games are played either in partnerships or individually. They are categorized into two main types, blocking games and scoring games.
The game is usually played until one player empties their hand or reaches a predetermined number of points, such as 100. The player with the higher score is declared the winner.
A game’s scoring system may differ according to the rules of a specific variant. Generally, the winning player subtracts the value of the opposing players’ remaining domino tiles from their own total to determine a score. Depending on the rules, doubles count as either one or two (a 6-6 counts as 12, for example). Domino scoring also takes into account whether a tile is exposed sideways. This is a small part of the entertainment factor for players as the chain develops a snake-line shape.