Play domino is one of the oldest and simplest tile games in the world - one you can learn in minutes, though mastering it takes practice and strategy. This guide walks you through domino rules from scratch, with examples and common terminology.
🁢 What Is Domino and What Are the Tiles?
Domino is played with rectangular tiles split into two halves, each marked with a number from 0 to 6 (or up to 9 in larger sets). A standard set has 28 tiles. The goal is to match numbers and be the first to play all the tiles in your hand.
🎯 Setting Up the Game
- Turn all tiles face down on the table and shuffle them thoroughly.
- In a two-player game, each player draws 7 tiles; in three- or four-player games, usually 6 tiles each.
- Any remaining tiles form the "boneyard" (draw pool).
- The player holding the highest double (like 6-6) plays first.
🔄 How to Play, Step by Step
On your turn, you must play a tile whose number matches one of the two open ends of the chain:
- Connect a matching tile to either end of the layout.
- If you have no matching tile, one of two things happens, depending on the game format:
Draw Play
You draw from the boneyard until you find a playable tile; if the boneyard is empty, your turn is skipped.
Block Play
There's no boneyard to draw from - if you can't match either end, your turn is simply skipped.
🧮 Scoring in Domino
A round ends when one player plays their last tile, or when no one can move (a "blocked" game). If a player empties their hand, they score points equal to the sum of the pips remaining in every opponent's hand. In a blocked game, whoever holds the lowest pip total wins the round. Games typically continue until a player reaches a preset target score, most commonly 100 or 101 points.
📚 Common Domino Terms
- Double: a tile with the same number on both halves, like 3-3.
- Open end: the two ends of the layout where new tiles can be added.
- Blocked game: a state where no player can make a move.
- Boneyard: the leftover tiles drawn from in Draw play.
💡 Tips for Beginners
Play heavy tiles early
High-value tiles like 5s and 6s cost you points if you're stuck holding them at the end - play them early.
Read your opponent
If an opponent can't play on a specific end, they likely have few or no tiles with that number.
Keep the ends flexible
Try to steer the layout so you keep the most playable options for the tiles still in your hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play domino?
Usually two to four. In two-player games each player draws 7 tiles, with the rest forming the boneyard.
Is domino a game of luck or skill?
The initial draw involves luck, but reading your opponent and managing heavy tiles well is entirely skill-based.
What's the difference between Draw and Block domino?
In Draw play you draw from the boneyard when you can't match. In Block play there's no boneyard, so your turn is skipped.
How many points does a domino game go to?
Depending on the format, games commonly play to a target of 100 or 101 points.
Ready to Put It Into Practice?
Once you know the rules, you can jump straight in and play domino online for free or for cash against real opponents at Tasbazi.