Domino is a game of skill. It can be played by two or more players, and it is a great way to pass the time.
Each domino has a number of spots or pips on one side and is blank on the other. They are arranged in sets of 28 pieces.
Rules
A domino is a game that involves 28 tiles and can be played in partnership/teams or individually. It is divided into two square ends, each with a number from none up to six. Each player has a hand of seven dominos and must, in turn, play one on the table positioning it so that it touches the end of the domino chain.
The rules of the game vary, but most fall into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games and circle games. In straight domino chains, the number of points scored is determined by summing up the exposed ends. A double which is exposed sideways on an end of the chain is called a spinner and scores twice as many points as the single exposed domino.
In blocking games, the object of the game is to empty your opponent’s hand. The winning player then gains points equal to the sum of the pips remaining in the losing players’ hands.
Materials
A domino is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block with one side bearing an arrangement of dots or numbers that match those on a die. 28 such dominoes form a complete set. The other side of a domino may be blank or decorated with an image or pattern. In some games, a domino may be marked to identify it as the bank, or to distinguish it from other dominoes.
Most dominoes are made from wood, but they are also produced in plastic and metal. Some dominoes are mass-produced for classroom use or for commercial applications, while others are the work of true craftsmen. These high-end dominoes can be quite expensive.
When making a domino out of resin, it is important to seal the surface. This prevents air bubbles from forming under the resin and causing it to crack later. In addition, sealing the surface will help it resist stains and scratches. This step can take several hours or overnight depending on the humidity in your area.
Variations
There are many variations to domino. Some use a set of ten dominos while others begin with seven, or even fewer. Some games involve reshuffles or the players taking turns picking from the bone yard until an opening double is found. Some have rules for when a player can buy tiles from the stock.
The basic rules for scoring vary from game to game, but in most cases players score when they can match the pips on one end of their domino to an open end of another tile that has been laid. Typically, this is done by playing a double, which may also be called a spinner.
The pips on either side of the domino are known as its rank or weight, and a tile with more pips is ranked higher than a tile with less. Some dominoes are curved and can be played on only two sides. A curved domino is usually referred to as a bendomino.
Scoring
Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide and are distinguished from other clay tiles by the number of dots or pips on each side. A tile with a lot of pips is usually considered more valuable than one with less or none.
There are several scoring systems for domino. The most common is to count the total of all the exposed ends of a chain, including any doubles (although only one end of a double is counted, unless it is a spinner).
The game ends when one player has no more tiles left or, in team play, when no legal plays remain. The winner is then determined by adding up the total of all of the players’ remaining tiles, rounded to the nearest multiple of five, and subtracting this quantity from the losers’ score. The winner may then choose to add this amount to their score or keep it as a bonus for playing well.
