The Basics of Dominoes
This is the Playing Bones guide to domino basics.
In this article we'll dive into How to play dominoes, domino game rules, and give you some beginners domino instruction. This guide is based on 2 players playing head to head. When you're done reading and watching the video you'll be ready to play and even win some games. Enjoy!
Getting Started
To get started you're going to want a complete Double Six Dominoes Set of 28 dominoes. Here is a list of our recommended bones.
Once you have your dominoes the first thing you want to do is lay all of them facedown on a sturdy playing surface and begin shuffling them thoroughly. Once the dominoes are shuffled (also know as washing dishes) each player can draw 7 dominoes. Make sure to keep the dominoes hidden from your opponent.
The left over dominoes are pushed aside and labeled as the "boneyard". The "Boneyard" is a place where a player can draw dominoes from when they don't have a playable domino in their hand.
The First Play
In the beginning of the game whomever has the double six domino will play first. If no one has 6/6 players will then start to work their way down. 5/5, 4/4, 3/3, 2/2, 1/1, and finally 0/0. If no one has a double domino in their hand the game can start with the next largest domino being 6/5, 6/4, 6/3, and so on.
Once game play does start players will alternate taking turns, until one of the players has used all of their dominoes. If during gameplay a player cannot play they will draw 1 domino at a time from the “Boneyard” until they find a play. A player must continue to draw until they find a play or exhaust the “Boneyard”.
Spinners
A spinner is the first "double domino" that is played. All double dominoes are played horizontally or sideways.
Order of Play
After the first play is made each player will take turns in a clockwise manner. This order of play is consistent with the game being clockwise at all times. There is never a time in dominoes when the order switches to counter clock wise.
What Happens When You Can't Play?
Sometimes your opponent will make a play and leave you with no options, when this happens what do you do? If you are left with no plays and their is a boneyard you must draw dominoes until you can play. Sometimes this can put you in a compromising situation with a hand full of dominoes that your opponent is just waiting to cash in on.
When you find a domino that can play, simply play it. Let's say there is no dominoes in the boneyard that can play, then you must announce to your opponent "I pass". If your opponent can't play either the game is locked.
A locked game means no one can make a play. At this point both players will turn their hands over and find out who has the lower total domino value in their hand. For example if player 1 has double 5 and player 2 has double 3. Player 2 will be awarded 10 points.
However, since the hand concluded with no player in control of the game, the next hand will start like the beginning of the game with double 6 or the next largest domino.
Scoring Points
Scoring points is the most exciting part of playing all fives dominoes. To score you need to make the pip value on the ends or the half of the dominoes facing outwards add up to a multiple of 5. This same principle applies even with the first very domino played.
Here is the complete list of dominoes that can score by themselves on the initial play.
0/5, 1/4, 2/3, 4,6, and 5/5.
A secret to scoring is by using a "honey bone" or a domino that plays on the spinner but includes a blank or a fives. These are important to hold and use strategically based on where you are in process of a game. If you are close to ending the game and your opponent is well behind you, it might be time to use those honey bones to close the game.
However, if the game is close you want to scrutinize the board to make sure your opponent is waiting for you to drop a "honey bone" and counter you to take over the game.
Here is an example of a honey bone being used to counter and score:
Here are a variety of different scoring counts:
15 Point Score:
10 Point Score:
Mistakes During The Game
As John Legend once said we're all just ordinary people, so mistakes will happen during the game. Some mistakes are correctable while others can end the game! So you want to be extra careful during game play to limit the mistakes made. Here are a few of the most common errors.
Bogus Play
A bogus play is one that doesn't match. For example you try to play a 4 on a 2 or trying to play a 3 on a 2. When playing online dominoes bogus play is impossible but playing dominoes in person bogus plays do happen every once in a while.
If a bogus play does happen just call it out immediately. Whoever played a non matching domino will have to take the play back and as a penalty everyone on the table knows which domino they have left in their hand.
Draw Too Many Dominoes
Before a domino game starts each player will draw 7 dominoes. Sometimes a player will draw too many dominoes. In a group of players this is called being "pregnant". This is an easy fix if you haven't turned your dominoes over already to look at them all you have to do is throw one back. However, if you have looked at your dominoes already you will need to turn them all face down, shuffle them, and let your opponent throw one back into the boneyard.
Your Domino Is Shown
If one of more of your dominos is shown by accident, that's really too bad. Once dominoes are drawn it's each players responsibility to keep their bones private. So be careful with your dominoes don't let others see them.
You Miss Counting Your Points
One of the most common mistakes made in a domino game is missing points that are scored. If you miss your count that's your fault! A costly mistake that will often come back to haunt a player. At Playing Bones domino players are rated based on a few different aspects of their game including:
- Effectively play their hands
- Anticipate opponents plays
- Count dominoes
- Commit past plays to memory
- Talk Trash
That last point trash talking can cause mistakes like missing points. I was recently playing in a mini tournament with my dad and another family friend and my dad actually talked the other player out of a 20 point play.
Different Domino Games
Aside from all fives there are a variety of different games that you can play with a set of dominoes. Some of the more popular variations are Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, 42 Dominoes, Pai-Gow, Castle Rock, 84 Dominoes, Domino Poker, All Threes, Six Toed Pete, Matador, One Armed Joe, Spades, Block, Draw Dominoes, and more.
The Best Domino Game
Out of all the different domino games that are played around the world, the very best game of dominoes is muggins or all fives. No other game brings everything together. Strategy, Excitement, Fun, and Friends.
Now that you know the basics of playing dominoes checkout our Rules Guide, Watch Domino Videos, Buy A Set of Dominoes, or Checkout our Beginners Domino Course.
