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Most domino games are played in a line of play and have specific rules for how this is done. These basic instructions are listed here under Line of Play for those games.
Origin
A domino is a game involving placing a single tile edge-to-edge against another to form a chain of numbered ends. A player scores when all the ends of one domino show a number or form a specific total.
The earliest known set of dominoes dates from China, where they were first recorded in the 12th century. They bear an unmistakable resemblance to standard ordinary spotted dice and may have been developed from these.
The word “domino” also has an earlier sense, denoting a long hooded cloak worn over a mask at a carnival or in a masquerade. It is possible that the domino game grew out of this, as did the term. The domino game arrived in England by the late 1700s, purportedly brought there by French prisoners of war.
Rules
Domino games can have many different rules. Each player draws the number of tiles allowed by the rules of the particular game. These tiles are placed face down on the table. They may be referred to as the set, the down, or the lead. A player then plays a domino from his hand or, as in some games, byes from the stock (see Passing and Byeing below).
Dominoes must be played so that their ends match – one’s touch ones, two’s touch two’s, etc. The exception is doubles, which are played across the line of play.
The player who holds the heaviest domino begins the first round of play in most games. In the event of a tie, the winner of the last game may open the next.
Variations
There are a variety of domino games. Many of them are similar in appearance, but their rules differ from one game to another. In most western games, players take turns laying single dominoes in a line, ensuring that the value of one end matches the value of an adjacent end. A double domino with matching ends is called a spinner and can be played at a right angle to the rest of the chain, so that the line of play grows longer.
Some games involve blocking, and the winner is determined by counting the pips in each player’s hand. A popular game is muggins, in which you score whenever the open-ended pips on a domino match or add up to a multiple of five.
Materials
The type of domino materials you choose plays a big role in how fun your experience with the game will be. You’ll want to choose a set that is made from quality materials and has all the necessary accessories, like a domino rack, score pad, and pencil. Then, you’ll be ready to play your favorite domino games with your friends and family.
The advantage of plastic dominoes is that they are cheaper and more easily available than other types of domino blocks. However, their light weight makes them more likely to fall over accidentally during construction and limits the ability to build larger domino structures. Moreover, the debossed H5 logo on each piece causes unexpected light reflections and the limited number of colors is restrictive for building complex domino fields.
Scoring
The scoring system in domino varies from game to game. Generally, the number of points won by the winning player is determined by counting the total pips of the tiles left in the losing players’ hands at the end of a hand or game. Doubles are counted as two ends, and a blank is zero.
A popular variation on this scoring system is the Mexican Train variant, which uses a double-nine set with additional tiles containing a spinner. Each player starts by playing a double, and thereafter adds a tile to his or her train on each turn.
Before each round begins, the domino tiles are mixed up and reshuffled. The players then draw a hand of seven dominoes and the player who draws the highest double goes first.
