About Dominoes
Dominoes here is the Draw game with a double-six set, the version most tables know: match an end of the line, draw from the boneyard when you cannot, and go out to win the hand. A match runs to 100 points (or 50 for a shorter game). Play two, three or four at the table, against robots that fill the empty seats, passing one phone round with a curtain between turns, or online with friends who join by link or code. The server deals and keeps every hand secret.
How to play Dominoes
- Each player gets seven tiles (five with three or four players); the rest form the boneyard. The highest double starts the line.
- On your turn add a tile to either end of the line so that the touching halves match. If none fits, draw from the boneyard until one does; when it is empty, pass. (In the Block game nobody draws: the spare tiles sleep and you pass at once.)
- Going out wins the hand and scores the pips left in the other hands. A blocked hand goes to the lowest hand. The first to 100 points (or 50) wins the match.
- Tap a tile, then Left or Right when it fits both ends. Results are saved on this device.
Tips & strategy
- Play your heaviest tiles early: whatever is left in your hand at the end of a hand counts against you.
- Keep a spread of suits so that you can follow on either end. Holding four tiles of one number is asking to be blocked.
- Count what has been played. If five tiles with a six are on the line, a six at either end is hard for anyone to follow.
- Doubles can only be played on their own number, so get them out while that number is still at an end.
Dominoes: questions and answers
How many tiles does each player get?
Seven with two players, five with three or four. The rest form the boneyard, and the highest double leads the first hand.
What if I cannot play?
Draw from the boneyard until you can; when it is empty, pass. If every player passes in turn the hand is blocked. In the Block game (a setting) nobody draws: you simply pass.
How is a hand scored?
The player who goes out scores all the pips left in the other hands. In a blocked hand the lowest hand wins and scores the difference. The first player to reach the target wins the match.
Is there a pause between hands?
Yes. The scores are shown and the next hand is dealt when everyone is ready, or after fifteen seconds online.