Dominoes Objective
The goal of Dominoes is to be the first to a set amount of points (50, 100, or 150) by finishing rounds with
fewer pips (dots) than your opponent so you can score points.
Dominoes Scoring
Players accumulate points across rounds until one player reaches a predetermined score (50, 100, or 150), and
points are awarded according to these rules:
- The player with the lowest number of pips scores points at the end of each round.
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Points scored are equal to the number of pips left in their opponent’s hand. So if the round ends and
one player has 5 pips and the other player has 3, the player with 3 pips scores 5 points.
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If both players have the same number of pips (a draw), each player scores the total pips remaining in
their opponent’s hand.
If the round ends and one player has 11 pips and the other player has 11 pips, each player scores 11 points,
even if one player has more domino tiles than the other player. Only pips count.
Dominoes Settings
Dominoes is played with two players and uses a standard set of 28 tiles with each player dealt 7 tiles. To start
play, select your desired settings:
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Mode of play: Draw Mode allows you to draw dominoes on your turn when you’re unable to play, and
Block Mode uses no stockpile of extra tiles. So if you can’t play, your opponent gets another turn. The
stockpile of extra tiles is called the boneyard.
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Difficulty level: You can choose from either easy, medium, or hard. With each level, you need to
increase your strategy to meet the challenge.
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Points to win: Decide if you want to play to 50, 100, or 150 points. Points accumulate each round,
and the game ends at whatever point total you select.
Dominoes Rules
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Play one matching tile per turn. The player with the highest double or, if no one has a double, the
tile with the most pips goes first, playing any one tile from their hand. Each subsequent turn, players play
just one tile that matches the number of any open tile in the line.
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Matches are made with either end of the tile. Domino tiles have two ends, and so they have two
possible numbers to match with unless the tile is a double. The number of pips (dots) on each end signifies
the number, so if your tile has 3 pips on one side and 5 pips on the other, you can match your domino with
an open 3 or an open 5.
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Only open tiles can be played on. You can match tiles in your hand only with ones that are open in
the line. For all dominoes but doubles, an open tile is one with an end that doesn’t have another domino
matched to it. Doubles still have just one side open, but they are placed sideways (vertically) against the
horizontal line.
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If you have no matching dominoes on your turn:
- Draw Mode: Use the boneyard to draw tiles until you get a playable domino.
- Block Mode: You must pass, and your opponent gets to play again.
- The round ends when a player runs out of dominoes or neither player can play.
Dominoes Strategies
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Play high-value tiles early. Plan to shed high-point tiles earlier in the game while you have more
flexibility to reduce your potential for end-of-round pips.
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Count tiles as they have been played if you are using Draw Mode. Tracking what’s been placed helps
predict what your opponent holds and what numbers remain in the boneyard.
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Block your opponent. If you notice your opponent drawing for certain numbers, play more of those
numbers on your subsequent turns to block them and increase their chances of adding pips to their hand.
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Reduce your opponent’s choices. A way to set up your opponent to have to draw (or pass if playing in
Block Mode) is to make both ends of the line the same number. If a 6 and a 2 are on each end, and your
opponent plays on the 6, play a domino on that 6 with the open end being a 2. Now both ends are 2, and your
opponent only has one possible number to match with. You’ve cut their possibilities in half!
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Control the game. Especially near the end of the game, give yourself a flexible plan for ending the
game and emptying your hand. The more possibilities and pathways you give yourself, the better chance you
have to win!
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