rules to play dominoes

In some domino games, part of the score is obtained from the total number of pips at the ends of the line of play as the game progresses. If only one domino has been played, both ends of that domino are ends of the line of play. Thus, if a 5 5 tile is played, the count would be 10. If two dominoes have been played, the count depends on whether both tiles are with the line of play or one tile is with and the other tile is across the line of play. For example, if the 3 5 and 5 1 tiles are played, the count is 4 3+1. The matching halves of each of the two dominoes would be joined, end to end, with the open ends being 3 and 1. If the 3 5 and 5 5 tiles are played, the count is 13 3+5+5. The double tile, 5 5, would be played across the line of play, and both halves of the double would be considered ends of the line of play. Given the last example, if a tile is now played on the 5 5, assuming it is not a spinner, the 5 5 is no longer an end for the purpose of counting. See the example below. The line of play is 3 5, 5 5, 5 1, and the count is 4 3+1. If the 5 5 is not a spinner in this case, the 5 5 is not an end. In some domino games, a score is made only when the count of the ends of the line of play are a multiple of 5 or a multiple of 3, for example. Another scoring method used in many domino games is to take the losing players total number of pips by counting the pips on the tiles left in their hands at the end of a hand or the game and then adding that number to the winners score. Here is a rule variation that players may agree to employ When counting the pips on the tiles left in the losers hands at the end of a hand or the game, count only one end of a double i.e., 4 4 counts as only 4 points.

If a player draws more tiles for his hand than he is entitled to, it is called an overdraw. Once an overdraw has been discovered, the player to the right of the overdrawn hand takes the extra dominoes from the overdrawn hand, without looking at them, and returns them to the stock. The deck should then be reshuffled before anyone else draws his hand. Here is a rule variation that players may agree to employ Expose the overdrawn tiles to all players before returning them to the stock and then reshuffling the deck.

If a player draws fewer tiles for his hand than he is entitled to, it is called an underdraw. Once an underdraw has been discovered, he draws the necessary tiles from the stock to complete his hand.

When a player plays the wrong domino, it is called a misplay. If a player misplays for example, joins a 2 to a 3 and it is discovered before the next player makes his play, he must restore the misplayed tile to his hand and play a correct tile. If a player misplays and no one notices until after the next play has been made, the wrong tile is considered played and cannot be replaced with the correct tile. If a score is realized on the undiscovered misplay, the player is allowed to keep it. If it is not a misplay, once a tile is played and a player takes his hand off the tile, it may not be taken up by the player.

When a player plays out of turn, it is called a misplay. If a player plays out of turn and it is discovered before the next player makes his play, he must recall his tile. If a player plays out of turn and it is not discovered before the next play, the misplay must stand. If a score is realized on the misplay, the player is allowed to keep it.

Nearly all of the most popular domino games fit into one of four categories. The four categories are bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games.

Bidding Games

Bidding games are card like games, played by two to four players. In these games, players bid their hands, the highest bidder names the suit, and the score is determined by the bid.

Blocking Games

Blocking games are played by matching dominoes in a line. Scoring is done only at the end of each hand. The player or team who plays all the dominoes in his hand first, or dominoes, scores the total count of the tiles still held by his opponents. In the event of a blocked game, the player or team who has the lowest count scores the total count of the tiles still held by his opponents.

Scoring Games

A scoring game, like a blocking game, is also played by matching dominoes. One difference is that scoring is done throughout the game after each scoring play is made, as well as at the end of each hand. The game is played until a player or team makes the necessary points to win. A game consists of a series of hands. A hand consists of a series of plays with the dominoes drawn from the deck.

Round Games

Round games are party games, played by three to ten players, in which scoring is usually done at the end of each hand and each hand is usually a game.

To begin the dominoes are placed face down and shuffled. Players draw one domino. The player drawing the highest double or if no double, the highest domino plays first. Re shuffle and then begin drawing the first hand.

Each player then draws seven dominoes for his hand. The remaining dominoes the boneyard, if any, are left face down on the table to be drawn later if a player is unable to play from his hand.

Scoring points by laying the dominoes end to end the touching ends must match i.e., ones touch ones, twos touch twos, etc.. If the dots on the exposed ends total any multiple of five the player is awarded that number of points. All sides of the first double the spinner may be used one piece to each side and later one to each end. All other doubles are played at right angles to the line and the total points on both ends are counted. Dominoing occurs when one player goes out by playing all of his dominoes. The sum of the spots of all opposing players is computed and added to the dominoing players score rounded to the nearest five. In partnership play the spots of the partner of the one who DOMINOED are not counted.

If in the course of the game it is impossible for any of the players to play, the game is Blocked. The player or partners having the least spots in his or their combined hands scores the total of the spots in the opponents hands rounded to the nearest five. The score of 250 points is usually considered a game. The first person or partnership to score this amount wins the game. Shuffle and begin a new game. The player who won plays first.