How to play dominoes: Block and Draw rules
Dominoes is a matching game anyone can learn in a minute. The two most common versions are Block and Draw, and you can play both in Dominoes against one to three computer players.
The set
A standard double-six set has 28 tiles. Each tile has two ends with 0 to 6 pips, and every pairing appears once. A tile with the same number at both ends is a double.
Playing a hand
- Shuffle the tiles face down. Each player takes seven tiles (five each in a four-player Draw game). The rest form the boneyard.
- The player with the highest double starts by placing it. In our game, if nobody has a double, the heaviest tile starts.
- Take turns adding a tile so one end matches an open end of the line, such as a 4 beside a 4.
- If you cannot play, in Block you pass. In Draw you take tiles from the boneyard until you can play, and you pass only when it is empty.
How a hand ends and scoring
A hand ends when a player plays their last tile, which is called going out or dominoing, or when nobody can play, which is a blocked game. The winner scores the pips left in the other players' hands. In a blocked game the player with the fewest pips scores. The game continues hand by hand until someone reaches the target, usually 100 or 150 points.
Strategy
- Play heavy tiles early. Tiles with many pips cost the most points if you are caught holding them.
- Play doubles early. They can be hard to place later.
- Keep a mix of numbers. A hand with several suits gives you more ways to play.
- Remember what was passed. If someone passes on a number, they have none of it. Play that number to lock them out.
Which version?
Draw has more luck and longer hands. Block has more planning and ends quickly. You can switch in the menu. For other classics, see Checkers, Mancala and the list of free board games.
