How to play Dominoes

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How to play Dominoes

Draw Dominoes is the most popular way to play dominoes at home. Two players use a double-six set of 28 tiles, match numbers end to end, and race to empty their hand. The winner scores the pips left in the loser's hand.

Setup

Shuffle the 28 tiles face down. Each player draws 7; the remaining 14 form the boneyard. The player with the highest double usually leads.

Playing a tile

On your turn, place one tile so that one of its halves matches the number on an open end of the line. Doubles are placed crosswise. The line always has two open ends.

Drawing

If you can't match either end, draw from the boneyard until you can play. If the boneyard is empty, you pass.

Scoring

The first player to play their last tile wins the round and scores the total pips in the opponent's hand. If the game blocks, the lighter hand wins. First to 100 points wins the match.

Tips from the table

  • Play heavy tiles early — if you get caught, they cost you the most points.
  • Keep a variety of numbers in your hand so you can always answer either end.
  • Watch what your opponent draws on: if they drew when a 4 was open, they have no 4s.