Dominoes
Free online dominoes game · Play the computer · No sign-up
Dominoes in a nutshell
In dominoes you take turns laying tiles end to end, matching the number of spots where they touch. If you cannot play, you draw from the boneyard in the Draw game or pass in the Block game. The first to empty their hand wins the round and scores the spots left in the other hands.
- Shuffle the tiles. Turn all 28 tiles face down and mix them up. This pile is called the boneyard.
- Take your hand. With 2 players, each takes 7 tiles. With 3 or 4 players, each takes 5 tiles.
- Lay the first tile. The player with the highest double plays it first. If nobody has a double, the highest tile starts.
- Match an open end. Take turns adding one tile to either end of the line. The touching ends must show the same number.
At a glance
- Players
- 2 to 4 players each playing for themselves
- Length
- 10 to 20 minutes a game to 100 points
- Equipment
- Double-6 set 28 dominoes
- Learn it in
- 2 minutes match the ends
Dominoes questions
What is the difference between Draw dominoes and Block dominoes?
In Draw dominoes, if you cannot play you take tiles from the boneyard until you can. In Block dominoes there is no drawing: if you cannot play, you pass.
How many dominoes does each player get?
With a double-6 set, 2 players usually take 7 tiles each. With 3 or 4 players, each takes 5. Some groups give everyone 7 when 3 play.
What happens if the game is blocked?
If no one can play and nothing is left to draw, the game is blocked. Everyone counts the spots in their hand and the player with the fewest wins the round.
Do doubles go crossways?
Doubles are traditionally laid crossways so they stand out, but in the basic game they still count as one open end. Some games, such as Sevens or Fives, use doubles differently.
How many tiles are in a set of dominoes?
A standard double-6 set has 28 tiles. Larger sets exist: a double-9 set has 55 and a double-12 set has 91.
