How to play Dominoes
This is Draw dominoes, the classic game for two, played against Ben, the computer. You take turns adding tiles to a line, matching the numbers at its ends. The first to play all their tiles wins the round, and the first to 100 points wins the game.
The tiles
We use a double-six set: 28 tiles, one for every pair of numbers from 0 (blank) to 6. Tiles with the same number on both halves are called doubles. Each player starts with 7 tiles, and the other 14 lie face down in the boneyard.
Playing a round
- In the first round, whoever holds the highest double plays it to start the line. (If neither of you has a double, the heaviest tile starts.) After that, the winner of each round starts the next with any tile.
- On your turn, add one tile to either end of the line. Its number must match the number at that end. Tap the tile to play it; if it fits both ends, tap the end you want.
- If none of your tiles fits, draw from the boneyard, one tile at a time, until one does. If the boneyard is empty, you pass.
Scoring
- When a player plays their last tile, they call “domino!” and score the total number of pips (spots) left in the other player's hand.
- If neither player can move and the boneyard is empty, the game is blocked. The player with fewer pips in their hand wins the round and scores the other player's pips. If the hands are even, nobody scores.
- The first to reach 100 points wins the game.
Tips
- Watch what Ben draws. When Ben draws from the boneyard, Ben has none of the numbers showing at the ends. Leaving those numbers showing can force Ben to draw again. In our tests this was the most valuable habit of all.
- Play doubles while they fit. A double only fits one number, so it can easily get stuck in your hand.
- Keep a variety of numbers. A hand with many different numbers can almost always follow on. Try to leave yourself a tile that matches what you just put down.
- Use weight as a tie-breaker. If Ben goes out first, every pip in your hand counts for Ben, so when two plays are otherwise equal, play the heavier tile.
- Ask for a hint. It suggests a tile and explains why: a heavy tile, a double, or a number Ben is missing.
Questions
How good is Ben?
Ben follows the tips above: heavy tiles and doubles first, keeping numbers that can follow on, and watching what you draw. In our tests, Ben's way of playing beat a player who chose tiles at random about 83 games in 100, and a player who simply played the heaviest tile 73 games in 100. Against another player using the same tips, each won about half.
Does Ben see my tiles?
No. Ben knows only Ben's own tiles, the tiles on the table, and which numbers you couldn't match when you drew. Every round is dealt from the game number, so you can share a game with a friend.
Is any money involved?
No. Dominoes here is played just for fun: there's no betting, no prizes and no real money, and nothing to buy.
How long does a game take?
A game to 100 usually takes about ten rounds, around 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. In our tests, about nine rounds in ten ended with someone going out, and the rest were blocked. Your game saves itself, so you can stop at any time.
Can I take back a move?
Yes. Undo takes back your last move, and Ben's reply if Ben has played since, within the current round.
Where do dominoes come from?
Dominoes began in China, centuries ago. The European style of tiles, with a blank and the numbers up to six, appeared in Italy in the 1700s and spread from there. Today, dominoes is a favorite at kitchen tables, porches and community centers all over the Americas.