Domino is a game of chance and strategy. Its rules are a little different from one game to the next.
Some games count the pips on both ends of a double (a spinner). Others only count the pips on one end of a double.
The basic rules for most of the domino games shown on this website include forming a line of play. This is done by touching exposed ends.
Rules
In most domino games, a line of dominoes is formed as players take turns matching and playing a domino. This line of play is referred to as the layout, string or line of play. It may be centered on the table or it may extend in any direction. A domino can be joined to another only if the pips match ie 6 touching 6.
Sometimes players are unable to play and the game becomes blocked. When this happens the player with the lowest number of total pips in their hand is declared the winner.
When a round is over, the losers’ hands are counted (counting both ends of a double) and this number is added to the winning player’s score. Some variation include counting the pips of tiles in the stock and adding these to the winner’s score. The stock should be kept face down and, depending on the game being played, some of these tiles may be bought by other players.
Materials
Having the right materials for domino can make or break your gaming experience. A good table is essential for comfortable gameplay, and one with a felt surface will protect the faces of your tiles from scratches. You should also have a sturdy box to store your tiles in.
Domino pieces (also known as bones, cards, men, or tiles) are normally twice as long as they are wide, so that they can stand upright on their ends. Each side of the domino has an arrangement of spots, or pips, which gives it a value. Blank or matching pips are also common, but rarer.
Dominoes were first made of bone or ivory, but later in the 19th century cheap sets were manufactured from tinplate and sold to pubs and Inns for free or for a small fee by tobacco companies. The next manmade plastic material to be used was Parkesine, or Xylonite, invented in 1856. It lasted for some time but eventually failed due to its inflammability.
Variations
The game of domino comes in a variety of variations. Some are simple layout games, others are blocking games and still others involve scoring. Each variant uses a different type of set, although most games use a standard double-six set. The basic block game for two players requires one player to put down a domino that matches the other open ends of the line of play (the exposed halves of the first double played). A tile with a value of 5 on both sides is known as a spinner. The player extends the line of play from these exposed ends as they can, or passes.
One of the most popular domino variations is Mexican train, a scoring game where players work to build their own “trains.” In this version, each player draws seven tiles and plays them as they can until they win or are blocked. The score for a blocked round is the sum of the remaining pips in the loser’s hand.
Scoring
Dominoes are flat thumb-sized blocks bearing from one to six pips or dots. There are 28 such pieces in a complete set. Dominoes are traditionally arranged in lines or angular patterns to form games. A domino is scored when it is matched to another with the ends touching, such as one’s touching two’s or three’s touching fives. The player scoring the most points at a given point is declared the winner of that game.
In many British pubs and clubs a scoring version of 5s-and-3s is played. The object of this variant is to attach a domino from your hand to an end of the dominoes already played. You score for each time the sum of the ends is divisible by 5.
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