Dominoes are a variant of playing cards. They feature identifying marks on one side and are blank or identically patterned on the other.
They are often used as a form of strategy in games with unique rules.
They can be played for blocks, scoring, or trick and trump. The goal in all these games is to get the most points during play and at the end of a round.
Rules
Dominoes are rectangular tiles with two sets of spots (pips), one on each face. They are used in various games, and the rules vary widely depending on which country you play dominoes from.
In the basic game, each player draws five dominoes and places them in front of him in such a way that the other players can’t see the pips. They then proceed to play them clockwise around the table.
The objective of the game is to get rid of all the dominoes that you hold. The first person to do so wins the hand and gets to add their own points based on the total value of all the dominoes still in other players hands.
The game is played by laying down dominoes end to end, except for doubles, which are laid across the line of play. When a double is placed, the next player can only play it if they have a matching number on the end of another domino.
Materials
Dominoes are small, flat tiles used in gaming. They have a line in the middle that separates the two sides of the domino and a number of black dots on each side.
The earliest dominoes were made from animal bone or ivory. The game developed in Europe and became popular around the world in the 18th century.
Today, dominoes are usually made from plastic or resins. However, some sets are also made from a combination of materials, such as acrylic.
For example, some sets are made from marbleized acrylic, which gives them a swirled effect. These sets are typically more expensive than dominos made from solid plastic resins.
European-style dominoes are traditionally made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips (inlaid or painted).Alternatively, domino sets have been made from many different natural materials: stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone); other hardwoods (e.g., ash, oak, redwood and cedar); metals (e.g., brass or pewter); ceramic clay; or even frosted glass or crystal. Such sets have a more novel look, and the often heavier weight makes them feel more substantial; but such materials and the resulting products are usually much more expensive than polymer materials.
Variations
There are several different variations of domino. These include bidding games, blocking games, scoring games and round games.
In block dominoes, players begin by drawing seven dominoes from a face-down boneyard, then take turns to lay matching domino halves end to end. You score points each time you lay a domino with an exposed end.
Another variation is straight dominoes, which starts much like a game of block dominoes, but the rules are a bit different. Instead of pips on the exposed ends adding up to a multiple of five, each exposed domino is scored for each pair of pips that it contains.
There is also a spinner version of dominoes that uses double-nine sets with additional tiles containing a “spinner” symbol indicating that it is a wild tile. This variation is more popular in British pubs than its block-based cousin.
Scoring
There are three main ways to score in domino. One is by laying the best possible tile; another is by using a double and the third is by blocking.
The best possible tile is usually a 3-2, although this may vary depending on the size of the table and the number of players. The pips on the tiles on either side of the 3-2 are counted in the scoring calculations.
A clever way of scoring is to make the most of a double by using it at the right time. For example, if you have a double six, then a 3-2 is the obvious choice to play with that pips on both sides.
This is not a new game but it has been adapted to many different forms, and the rules can be a little tricky. It is a good idea to consult a rule book or to have a conversation about the rules before attempting to play this exciting game.