Many different domino games have similar rules. Typically, a player draws the number of tiles allowed for that game from the stock, or boneyard, and then begins play.
The goal is to make at least one of your dominos match a neighboring domino along its long side. When this occurs, you can collect both dominoes and their matching numbers.
Rules
The rules of domino are not the same for all games, although most domino games follow some basic rules. Generally, the game is played in pairs and players take turns playing a tile from their hand onto the table. The number of pips on the exposed ends of the tile is counted. The higher the score, the more points a player receives.
The most common set of dominos has seven tiles with a combination of spots from one to six on each end. There are also sets with more pips on each end, called extended sets, which allow for additional combinations.
A player starts the game by drawing seven dominoes from the stock and placing them on the table to create a line of play. Then each player takes turns placing a domino on the line of play, matching the numbers of dots on its open ends. This allows other players to join the domino by touching its exposed ends with their own, forming a chain.
Variations
Dominoes are rectangular tiles with a pattern of spots (called “pips”) on one side and a blank or identically patterned other side. They are grouped into sets of progressively larger numbers of tiles, usually with the double-six set being the minimum for head-to-head play.
The basic game is called Draw or the Block game, and most characteristic domino games are elaborations of it. Each player draws seven tiles from a standard double-six set, then places a tile on the table that starts the line of play. Players then alternately extend this line with a matching tile at either end. A player who cannot continue passes.
In this variation, the winner is the first player to score a specified number of points in a round (usually 61) or reaches a target score agreed upon by the players. A common rule variation is to count the total number of pips on opposing player’s tiles left in their hand when calculating a winner’s score, with a double counting as two if it is not covering an existing double.
Materials
Over the years dominoes have been made from a variety of materials. These are usually robust and hard substances. Some are natural, like bone and ivory. Others are synthetic, such as bakelite and modern plastics. Some are even ceramic.
A domino is a small, flat game piece that is rectangular and bears a series of spots or dots, usually of varying color. The other side is blank or identically patterned. Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide, so that they can stand upright without falling over. They may also feature a line in the middle to divide the identity-bearing side into two squares, or ends. Each end may contain different values (from six pips down to none or blank).
In the early 19th century, European dominoes were originally made from animal bones, typically ebony. This was probably because of the availability of this expensive material. In 1855, the first manmade plastic, called Bois Durci and later Parkesine, or Xylonite, was invented. This was widely used for dominoes.
Scoring
Domino scoring is based on the number of pips in the dominoes and how they are placed. The winner of a round scores additional points based on the value of the dominoes still held by his opponents, usually counting the total number of fives in the opponent’s hands.
Players take turns playing a domino by placing it touching a matching one with its exposed ends or on the exposed end of a double. In the case of a double, a chain sprouts from both ends. If a player can’t play he draws dominoes from the boneyard until he has a turn.
In some games like 5s and 3s the score is calculated differently. The dominoes are shuffled and the player with the highest double starts. Players then place their tiles, joining them when the numbers match — for example, placing a 6 on the 6 of another domino and a 4 on the 4. When no more dominoes can be played the round is over and the player with the lightest hand wins.