How to Play Dominoes

Set Up:

Place all dominoes face down on table and mix them.

Play Dominoes

Stand pieces up with dots facing you. Do not let other players see your dominoes. Remaining dominoes become draw pile. Each domino is divided into two parts or ends, each containing a set of dots. A double domino contains matching ends (9-9, 8-8, etc.) player who draws highest double domino places it in center of table to begin game. Play then proceeds to left. If no double was drawn, all dominoes are returned to draw pile, remixed and redrawn.

The second player then tries to match one of his dominoes to either end or side of double. For example, if first domino played is a double four, second player may add any one of his dominoes containing four dots on one end. next player may play to remaining double four or he may try to match end of second domino played. Blanks match other blanks. Only one domino may be played at each turn. Dominoes are placed lengthwise rather than at right angles, except in case of a double as shown. Players match ends of dominoes but may play to either end or to either side of a double, thereby giving two new directions in which to place dominoes.

If a player cannot match dots at any open end of a row, he must pick from draw pile until he is able to play a domino. If he draws last domino and still cannot play, he passes and then tries again on his next turn. A player must play a domino if he is able to do so.

Play continues until one player has used all of his dominoes or until no one can play. If no further plays can be made and all dominoes have been drawn, player with no dominoes or with least number of points (dots on his remaining dominoes), wins round. He subtracts total of his points from total of each of his opponents' points and adds balance of points for his score. For example: player A had least amount of dots left in his hand (5). Player B had 19 dots and player C had 12 dots. Player A subtracts his dots from both player B and player C: 19-5=14, 12-5=7. Player A's score would be 21 (14+7=21).

Rounds continue until one player has scored at least 100 points and wins game. To begin a new round, turn all dominoes face down, mix them up and each player draws new dominoes (see Set Up for amount to take). Every round is played same way as first, beginning with player who has highest double domino.



Other Games to play with Double Nine and Double Twelve Dominoes:

Matador (3 to 8 players)

Place dominoes face down on table and mix them. If there are 3 to 6 players, each draws 5 dominoes. It there are 6 to 8 players, each draws 5 dominoes. Player with highest double domino, or if no one has a double, player with domino that has most points, goes first. Play proceeds to left.

Instead of playing a matching domino, object is to play any domino that, when added to an open end, will total 10. For example, opening domino is a double 9. In Matador, double dominoes count for only half their full value. A double 9 would only be worth 9 points instead of 18. next player must place a domino with only 1 dot at end of double 9 to equal 10 points.

Since no domino can be added to a blank to equal 10, there are 6 Matador dominoes that can be played in this case. They are: 9-1, 8-2, 7-3, 6-4, 5-5 and double blank. These 6 Matadors are only dominoes that can be played on a blank; however, they can also be played anywhere and at any time.

When a player cannot make required 10, he must draw from draw pile. If he is unable to draw a playable domino and there are no dominoes left in pile, he must pass.

If a player has one or more Matador tiles, he has option to play Matador, or draw from pile. If he chooses to draw and is unable to draw a playable domino, he must play his Matador.

The first player to place his last domino scores total number of points remaining in each player's hand. A double left in a player's hand counts as its full value.

If no player is able to place his last domino, game is blocked. Player who has lowest number of points in his hand scores difference between his hand and total of each opponent.

The first player to score 100 or more points wins game.



Tiddle-A Wink (6 to 10 players)

Place all dominoes face down on table and mix them. Each player draws 5 dominoes. player with highest double domino goes first and play proceeds to left.

When a double domino is played, either when starting or during game, that player takes another turn. When a player is unable to match, he says "G" and passes. first player to place his last domino calls "Tiddle-A-Wink" and receives total number of points left in other players' hands. If game is blocked and no player is able to call "Tiddle-A-Wink" player holding least amount of points in his hand receives total number of points from other players' hands minus his own points.

The player to score 200 points is winner.