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Domino

Match the ends, empty your hand before the computer, and play to the target score.

Dominoes rules, tactics & how to play

Learn how to play Dominoes and the tactics that empty your hand first, then play the board above.

Rules & how to play

The goal

Be the first to play all the tiles from your hand, or hold the fewest pips when the game blocks.

How a turn works

  • Each tile has two ends, each showing a number of pips from blank up to six.
  • On your turn you add a tile to an open end of the line so the touching numbers match, for example a 4-2 tile against an exposed 4.
  • If you cannot match either open end, you draw from the boneyard, or pass if none are left.
  • The round ends when someone plays their last tile, or when nobody can move.
Winning tactics

Play your heavy tiles early

If the round ends in a block, you score the pips left in your hand, so unload high-value tiles like the 6-6 while you still can.

Keep your options open

Try to keep tiles that match several numbers. Getting stuck with tiles that only fit one value is how you end up drawing or passing.

Track what is played

Watch which numbers have appeared. If you hold the last few of a number, you can sometimes force your opponent to pass and hand you the tempo.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Dominoes?

Match tiles end to end so the touching numbers are equal. On your turn you add a matching tile to an open end of the line, or draw from the boneyard if you cannot play. The first player to empty their hand wins, or if the game blocks, the player with the fewest pips wins.

How do you win at Dominoes?

Be the first to play all your tiles, or hold the fewest pips when nobody can move. Unloading heavy tiles early and keeping flexible tiles that match several numbers both improve your chances.

What is the boneyard in Dominoes?

The boneyard is the pile of face-down tiles left after each player draws their hand. When you cannot match either open end of the line, you draw from the boneyard until you can play or it runs out.

What happens when Dominoes is blocked?

The game is blocked when no player can add a tile. Each player counts the pips remaining in their hand, and the player with the fewest pips wins the round.