Dominoes are an easy-to-learn tile game that can be played anywhere at any time. Whether you’re in the middle of an office break or playing with kids, dominoes are a fun way to pass the time.
The game starts with a shuffle of the tiles and then each player draws a domino from the stock. The player who draws the heaviest domino makes the first play.
Origins
The game of dominoes originated in China during the Yuan Dynasty. A man named Zhou Mi wrote about it in his text entitled Former Events in Wulin somewhere between 1232 and 1298.
In Chinese dominoes, markings on the tiles, known as pips, mimic the results of throwing two six-sided dice. The European dominoes we recognize today differed from the Chinese versions by incorporating seven extra dominoes–six representing the values attained by throwing a single die with the other half of the tile left blank, and one representing the blank-blank (0-0) combination.
In the western variants, it was believed that the identity of the tile mattered most, with no concept of matching pips to the same number on the other player’s tiles. However, it was not uncommon for players to combine strategies from dice games for scoring purposes.
Rules
The rules of domino vary depending on the variant being played, but a few key points can be applied to most games. The aim of most domino games is to empty one’s hand while blocking opponent’s tiles, whose pips count for a score.
* Use doubles strategically to open up the board. For example, if your board has two blocked ends, you can play a tile with the same number as those ends to match them and create an open scoring end on the board.
Similarly, you can play out tiles with larger numbers quickly, as they’ll award more points. For example, a tile with a 6 on the open end is worth 3 points, and a tile with a 5 on the open end is worth 9 points.
Variations
A domino is a tile with a line across the center that divides it into two square halves. Each half of the tile has spots, or pips, that represent numbers. The pips vary from blank or 0 (no spots) to 6 (the maximum number of pips in any one half of the tile).
In a game of domino, players take turns placing their dominoes on the table and laying them end to end. Each player must match the value of one half of their domino to the value on the end of the last domino played.
A common variation of the game is called “5s and 3s.” In this version, a player’s objective is to attach a domino from their hand to one end of the ones already played so that the total sum of those ends is divisible by 5 or 3. The highest score wins the game.
Materials
Traditionally dominoes have been made from animal bones and ivory, but today they can also be made from plastic. While this is a major change from the materials used in the past, it makes them much more durable and affordable to produce.
There are many types of dominoes to choose from, and most of them can be found in stores. They come in various colors and can be purchased by the piece or in sets.
One of the most popular kinds is wooden dominoes. They look nice and are easy to play.
They are usually sold in decorative sliding-top boxes with double six jumbo dominoes (28 pieces) and playing instructions.
They are not as durable as metal dominoes, but they do have a good grip and slip which helps to slow down the speed of the tiles when they are moving. They also help to cushion the sound, making for a more pleasant experience when you are playing.
Scoring
Dominoes are scored by laying them end to end, so that the two matching sides are touching. If the dots on the exposed ends total any multiple of five, a player is awarded that number of points.
Unlike other games, domino scoring can be a bit complicated. There are three main ways to score, all of which can have different effects on the final game result.
One way to score is to be the first to play all of your dominoes. This strategy is often the most effective, but it can also leave you with dominoes that could make your opponent’s score higher. To prevent that from happening, try to get rid of your dominoes as soon as possible. Another strategy is to play tiles that will alter your board count by a multiple of five.
