domino2win, online domino game, online dominoes, play dominoes online, play domino online, dominoes tournaments, domino portal
Online Domino games
Dominoes Rules
Dominoes Reports
Dominoes Partners
Domino Rules - How to play Dominoes
Domino is a small tile that represents the roll of two dice. The tile, commonly called a bone, is rectangular with a line down the center. Each end of the tile contains a number. In the most popular domino set, the numbers vary from 0 (or blank) to 6. This produces 28 unique tiles. Dominoes are referred to by the number of dots (or pips) on each end, with the lower number usually listed first. Thus, a tile with a 2 on one end and a 5 on the other is referred to as a "2-5". A tile with the same number on both ends is called a "double" (or doublet), so a "6-6" is referred to as "double-six". A double-six is the "heaviest" domino; a double-blank is the "lightest" domino value.Tiles which have ends with the same number of dots are members of the same "suit". In a double-six set, there are seven suits (blank, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), each with seven members (0-5, 1-5, 2-5, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5, & 5-6) make up the "fives" suit, for instance. Except for the doubles, each tile belongs to two suits.
In addition to the standard double-six domino set, larger-sized sets are also available. Popular sizes include the double-nine (55 tiles), double-twelve (91 tiles), double-fifteen (136 tiles), and double-eighteen (190 tiles). The larger sets are used in some of the more complicated games. They can also be used to add variety to the simpler games, or to allow more people to play them.
For further information on the development and evolution of dominoes, check out our History of Dominoes. For help with domino terminology, our Dominoes Glossary has information on common domino terms and expressions.
In the most common versions of the game, the tiles are shuffled face down, and each player picks seven tiles. The player with the highest double leads with that double, for example "double six". If no one has it the next highest double is called - "double five?", then "double four?", etc. until the highest double in any of the players hands is played. If no player has an "opening" double, the next heaviest domino in the highest suit is called - "six - five?", "six – four.
Play generally proceeds "clockwise", but by prior consensus can proceed "counter-clockwise". The next player and all players in turn, must play a bone with an end that matches one of the open ends of the layouts. In some versions of the games the pips or points on the end and the section to be played next to it must add up to a given number; [For example in a double six set the "sum" would be six (6), requiring a "blank" to be played next to a "6," a "1" next to a "5", a "2" next to a "4", etc.] In block games, players who cannot match or play, on their turn must forfeit the turn by knocking or (passing), accomplished by tapping twice on the table or by saying, "go" or "pass". In draw games, players who cannot match or play, must draw bones from the boneyard until obtaining a playable bone. If the boneyard is exhausted, the player knocks.
Play continues until one of the players has played all the dominos in his or her hand, (and calls "out!", "I win", or "domino!") and wins the hand, or until all the players are blocked and no legal plays are left, you must remember this is one of many skill games.
In games where points are accrued, the winning player scores a point for each pip on each bone still held by each opponent, or the opposing team. If no player went out, however, the win is determined by the lightest hand; sometimes only the excess points held by opponents.