Play classic dominoes with a double-six set against one, two or three computer opponents. Match the open ends, draw from the boneyard when you're stuck and be first to empty your hand.
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Round over
Shuffling the tiles…
Your tiles
Drag a tile onto a glowing open end, or tap a tile to play it (tap the end you want if it fits both). Keys: ←→ choose a tile, Enter play, L/R play on the left or right end, D draw, H hint.
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How to use the Dominoes Game
Pick your game. Choose 1 to 3 computer opponents, the Draw or Block game and the target score. Each player gets 7 tiles (5 in a draw game with 3 or 4 players).
Start the line. The player with the highest double plays it first. In later rounds the winner of the last round starts with any tile.
Match an open end. On your turn, play a tile whose number matches one of the two open ends. Drag it to the glowing end, or tap it; if it fits both ends, tap the end you want.
Draw or pass. If nothing fits, draw from the boneyard until you can play (draw game) or pass (block game or when the boneyard is empty).
Score the round. The first player to play all their tiles scores the pips left in everyone else's hands. If nobody can move, the lowest pip count wins the round. First to the target score wins.
Dominoes rules at a glance
Rule
Draw game
Block game
Tiles
Double-six set: 28 tiles, numbers 0 to 6, 168 pips in total
Hand size
7 each for 2 players, 5 each for 3–4 players
7 each for 2–4 players
Can't play
Draw from the boneyard until a tile fits; pass if it's empty
Pass
First tile
Highest double in round 1; then the previous round's winner leads any tile
Doubles
Placed crosswise; they match one number on both sides
Round won by going out
Winner scores the total pips left in all other hands
Blocked round
Lowest pip count wins and scores the other hands' pips; a tie scores nothing
Game
First to the target score (100 by default)
The double-six set by the numbers
Every number from 0 to 6 appears on exactly 7 tiles (8 halves, because the double counts twice). That makes counting easy: if four tiles showing a 5 are already on the table and you hold two more, only one 5 is left for your opponents. When both open ends show a number that is nearly used up, the next player may be forced to draw or pass.
Fact
Value
Tiles in the set
28 (7 doubles + 21 non-doubles)
Total pips
168
Average pips per tile
6
Tiles showing any given number
7
Heaviest tile
6-6 (12 pips)
Dominoes strategy tips
Play heavy tiles early. If the round gets blocked or someone goes out, the pips in your hand count against you.
Keep your options open. Prefer moves that leave numbers you hold on the open ends, so you can follow up next turn.
Watch for passes. When an opponent passes or draws, they lack both open numbers. Keep those numbers on the table to squeeze them.
Don't strand doubles. A double can only be played on its own number. Get it down while that number is still open.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play dominoes?
Each player draws a hand of tiles from a shuffled double-six set. Players take turns adding a tile to one of the two open ends of the line of play, matching the number of pips on that end. The first player to play all their tiles wins the round and scores points for the tiles left in the other players' hands.
What is the difference between the draw game and the block game?
In the draw game, a player who can't play must draw tiles from the boneyard (the unused tiles) until one fits. In the block game there is no drawing: a player who can't play simply passes. The block game is shorter and more tactical; the draw game gives you more chances to recover.
How many dominoes does each player get?
With a double-six set of 28 tiles, the block game deals 7 tiles each for 2 to 4 players. In the draw game, 2 players take 7 tiles each and 3 or 4 players take 5 each, leaving more tiles in the boneyard.
How is a blocked game scored?
When no player can make a move, the round is blocked. Everyone counts the pips on their remaining tiles and the player with the lowest total wins the round, scoring the total pips of all the other hands. If the lowest totals are tied, nobody scores.
Who goes first in dominoes?
In the first round, the player holding the highest double (6-6, then 5-5 and so on) places it to start the line. If nobody holds a double, the tile with the most pips starts. In later rounds, the winner of the previous round starts with any tile.
How many tiles are in a double-six set?
A double-six set has 28 tiles, one for every combination of two numbers from 0 (blank) to 6, including seven doubles. Together they carry 168 pips.
What is a good dominoes strategy?
Get rid of heavy tiles such as 6-6 and 5-6 early so you aren't caught with many pips if the round is blocked. Keep a variety of numbers in your hand so you can always play, and note which numbers an opponent passed on: playing those numbers to the open ends can force them to draw or pass.
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