How to play Dominoes: Complete rules, setup, gameplay, and strategy tips for beginners.

Dominoes is one of the world’s oldest and most universal games — played on every continent for hundreds of years. The game uses rectangular tiles divided into two halves, each showing a number of dots (pips). The core mechanic is simple: match the ends, build the chain, empty your hand first.

What You Need

  • Players: 2-4 (best with 2-4)
  • Tiles: Standard double-six set (28 tiles)
  • Goal: Be the first to play all your tiles, or have the lowest total when the game blocks

The Tiles

A standard double-six domino set has 28 tiles. Each tile has two halves showing 0-6 dots. Every possible combination appears exactly once:

  • 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6
  • 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6
  • 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6
  • 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6
  • 4-4, 4-5, 4-6
  • 5-5, 5-6
  • 6-6

Doubles (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, etc.) have the same number on both halves.

Setup

  1. Place all tiles face down on the table and shuffle them (this is the boneyard)
  2. Each player draws tiles:
    • 2 players: 7 tiles each
    • 3-4 players: 5 tiles each
  3. Remaining tiles stay in the boneyard as a draw pile
  4. Players look at their own tiles but keep them hidden from opponents

How to Play (Draw Dominoes)

Draw Dominoes is the most common variant worldwide.

Starting the Game

The player with the highest double (6-6 ideally) plays it first. If no one has a double, the player with the highest-value tile goes first.

Taking Turns

On your turn, play one tile from your hand by matching one end of your tile to an open end on the table:

  • If one end of the chain shows a 4, you can play any tile that has a 4 on it
  • The matching numbers must touch
  • The chain grows from both ends

When You Can’t Play

If you have no playable tile, draw from the boneyard one tile at a time until you get one you can play (or the boneyard is empty). In Block Dominoes (a variant), you simply pass instead.

Doubles

When you play a double (like 4-4), place it crosswise (perpendicular to the chain). Doubles act as spinners — the chain can branch in all four directions from a double.

Winning a Round

A round ends when:

  • A player plays their last tile (“domino!”) — they win
  • The game blocks (no one can play and the boneyard is empty) — the player with the lowest pip total wins

Scoring

Basic Scoring (Most Common)

The winner scores the total pips remaining in all opponents’ hands.

If the game blocks, the player with the lowest remaining pips wins and scores the difference between their pips and each opponent’s pips.

In All Fives (also called Muggins), you score points during play whenever the open ends of the chain total a multiple of 5:

Open Ends Total Points Scored
5 5
10 10
15 15
20 20

The first player to reach a target score (typically 100 or 150) wins the game.

Block Dominoes

Same as Draw Dominoes, but you pass instead of drawing when you can’t play. Simpler and faster.

All Fives (Muggins)

Score points during play when open ends total a multiple of 5. More strategic and scoring-focused.

Mexican Train

Each player builds their own “train” from a central hub. You can play on your own train or the community “Mexican Train.” The most popular party variant — great for large groups.

Draw Dominoes with Spinners

Only the first double played is a spinner (branches 4 ways). Other doubles are played inline. This limits the branching and speeds up the game.

Strategy Tips

Count the Suits

The double-six set has a fixed composition. If you see that six 4s are already played, the seventh (and last) 4 is either in an opponent’s hand or the boneyard. Use this information to predict what opponents can and can’t play.

Play Doubles Early

Doubles are harder to play because both halves must match the same number. Play them early when more matching ends are available.

Diversify Your Hand

Keep tiles covering different numbers to maximize your chances of playing on your turn. If all your tiles are 3s and 5s, you’re vulnerable to getting stuck.

Block Your Opponent

If you notice an opponent drawing frequently from the boneyard, they’re struggling with a particular number. If you can control that suit, you can force them to keep drawing.

Set Up Your Next Move

When you have a choice of tiles to play, choose the one that creates an open end matching other tiles in your hand. Planning one move ahead dramatically reduces your drawing.

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