Like playing cards, of which they are a variant, dominoes have an identity-bearing face and are blank or identically patterned on the other. They are arranged in a line, and the number of dots on each end is counted to determine score.
The player holding the heaviest tile begins play. It is important to block your opponents when possible to limit their scoring potential and prevent them from catching up.
Origin
Dominoes, cousins to playing cards, are one of the most popular and versatile gaming implements. They are simple to learn and require some degree of calculation and strategy. Domino games are played in tournaments around the world and are one of the most widespread leisure activities.
Most domino games are blocking games that involve removing opponents’ tiles from the board while protecting your own. Some are also scoring games. For example, a popular variant of the basic game allows players to play off the ends of doubles.
The word domino likely originated from the Latin domino, which was used to describe a hooded cape worn with a mask during carnival season and at masquerades. It may also have been influenced by the black and white color scheme of ebony and ivory domino pieces, which reminded some people of a priest’s hooded cape over his surplice.
Rules
Like playing cards, of which they are a variant, dominoes bear identifying marks on one face and are blank or identically patterned on the other. These identifying marks are called “pips,” and they are arranged, generally, in an arrangement similar to that of the spots on a die.
Players must thoroughly shuffle the tiles before each hand. If any of the pips are exposed during this shuffle, they should be returned to the stock and reshuffled.
In most games, the object is to score points by laying your dominoes end to end in a line. You score for each time the sum of the two end dominoes is a multiple of five or three. The first player to do so wins the hand. Each hand lasts until all of the pieces are played.
Variations
There are many different variations of domino games. Each variant uses a different number of tiles and scoring methods. For example, some games use a set that includes more readable Arabic numerals instead of pips to make it easier to identify the numbers on the ends. Some also have rules that differ from the standard ones.
Dominoes, sometimes called bones or cards, are normally twice as long as they are wide with a line in the middle dividing them into two squares. Each side of a domino bears an arrangement of dots, called pips, which can range from blank to 6.
The game begins with all the dominoes being shuffled and placed face down on the table. The players then draw seven tiles. If they cannot find an opening double, the player with the highest double plays first.
Materials
Like the playing cards and dice from which they are a variant, dominoes have a face with identifying marks and a back. The identity-bearing side of each piece is divided by a line or ridge into two square halves, and the number of spots, called pips, on each half indicates its value. Blank or identically patterned dominoes have no value.
The various types of dominoes are made from a wide range of materials, including plastic, metal, and stone. There are also wood dominoes, which are typically more expensive and are crafted by hand. Some sets are made of a single type of wood, such as ebony or sapele. Other materials are more unusual, such as ceramic clay or frosted glass. These are usually more visually interesting and have a heavier weight that enhances their feel.
Scoring
Dominoes are small rectangular tiles that have an arrangement of dots, known as pips, on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. Each domino is asymmetrical, and its value is determined by the number of pips it contains. They are also distinguished by a line that divides them visually into two square ends, and each end has a different value.
In scoring games such as bergen and muggins, each domino that has an open end counts as a multiple of five points. A running score is often kept on a cribbage board. Players can also block opponents from scoring by holding a tile in their hand and preventing them from adding to their trains. The game ends when a player has no more tiles to play.
