How to play Dominoes

Objective

Dominoes is a game that is typically played by two to four players. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your dominoes by playing them onto a chain of dominoes that have already been played.

The Setup

The dominoes are shuffled and each player draws a certain number of dominoes, depending on the number of players. In a two-player game, each player would draw seven dominoes.

Determine Starting Player

The player with the highest double (a tile with the same number on both ends) plays first. If no doubles are drawn, the player with the highest sum of numbers on their tiles plays first.

Playing a Tile

Each player takes turns placing one of their dominoes on the board, matching one end to an open end of a domino already on the board. If a player cannot make a legal play, they must pass their turn to the next player.

Blocking

If a player cannot make a play, they are "blocked" and must pass their turn to the next player.

Scoring

The round ends when one player plays all their dominoes ("Domino!") or when all players are blocked ("Blocked!") If all players are blocked, the winner of the round is the player with the lowest number of pips remaining in their hand. The winner of the round receives the total pips from the dominoes left in other players' hands, adds them to the game's scoreboard, and a new round begins.

Winning the Game

The game is won when a player reaches a certain points threshold (e.g. 150), after a few rounds of play.

Tips for Playing Dominoes

• Try to hold onto your higher value tiles for as long as possible, as they can be more useful later in the game.
• Be aware of the tiles that have been played and what tiles are left in the draw pile, as this will help you anticipate what tiles other players may have.
• Pay attention to the tiles played by other players, as this can give you clues about what tiles they may have left and what tiles they may be looking for.
• Look for opportunities to block other players by playing tiles that prevent them from playing their tiles.
• Practice your counting skills, as it's important to be able to quickly add up the pips on your tiles and those played by other players.

pop.in and play Dominoes with friends!

Dominoes is a fun and challenging game that takes practice. To learn the nuances of the game, and become a better Dominoes player, check out the pop.in app! Play with real people in real time on pop.in, and explore other games like Spades, Hearts, Liar’s Dice, or our collaborative crossword. We have daily tournaments for all of your favorite games, real prizes, and a welcoming community.