Dominoes
Match the ends of the line and be the first to play all your tiles.
How to play Dominoes
Dominoes is played with a double-six set of 28 tiles. Each tile has two ends with 0 to 6 pips. Players take turns adding tiles to one line of play, and every new tile must match the number at one open end of the line. You play against one, two or three computer players.
Goal
Be the first to play every tile in your hand. You then score the pips left in the other players' hands. The first player to reach 100 points wins the game. You can also choose a single round.
Setting up
- The tiles are shuffled face down. Each player takes 7 tiles. In the Draw game with 3 or 4 players, each player takes 5 tiles.
- The tiles that are left form the boneyard.
- In the first round, the player with the highest double (6‑6, then 5‑5 and so on) must lead it. In later rounds, the winner of the last round leads any tile.
Turn by turn
- Play one tile that matches the number at either open end. A 3‑5 can go next to a 3 or a 5.
- Doubles are placed crosswise, but they still only have two open ends (there is no spinner).
- Draw game: if you cannot play, draw from the boneyard until you can. If the boneyard is empty, you pass.
- Block game: if you cannot play, you pass. The tiles left over are never used.
Tap a tile to play it. If it fits both ends, tap the glowing spot where you want it, or drag the tile there. The line turns at the edges so it always fits on your screen.
End of a round
A round ends when someone plays their last tile. That player scores the total pips in all other hands. If nobody can move, the game is blocked: the player with the fewest pips wins the round and scores the pips of the others. If the lowest totals are tied, no one scores.
Strategy tips
- Get rid of heavy tiles early. Tiles like 6‑6 and 5‑6 cost you a lot if someone else goes out first.
- Play doubles when you can. A double only matches one number, so it is the hardest tile to place later.
- Keep your numbers varied. Holding several different numbers means you can follow almost any end and rarely have to draw or pass.
- Watch who draws or passes. A player who could not play has none of the numbers on the ends. Leave those numbers open to block them.
- Count the tiles. Each number appears on 7 tiles. If five 4s are already in the line, a 4 at the end is easy to block.
Dominoes FAQ
What is the difference between the Draw and Block game?
In the Draw game you take tiles from the boneyard when you cannot play. In the Block game you simply pass, so rounds are shorter and blocking matters more.
What happens when the game is blocked?
When no player can move, the player with the lowest pip total wins the round and scores the pips in the other hands. A tie for the lowest total scores nothing.
Is there a spinner?
No. This is the classic line game: the first tile, even a double, has only two open ends. Doubles are laid crosswise just to look like a real table.
How strong are the computers?
Easy plays any tile that fits. Medium sheds heavy tiles and keeps numbers it can follow. Hard deals out the hidden tiles hundreds of times, plays each choice to the end of the round and picks the best one.
